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3d ago

REAL ID Deadline Nears, DMV Offices Extend Hours Nationwide

With the May 7, 2025 enforcement date approaching, states and the TSA prepare for potential travel disruptions as millions rush to comply with federal ID requirements.

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In an aerial view, Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas, billed as the world's largest cruise ship, heads out to sea for its second voyage from PortMiami on February 03, 2024, in Miami, Florida.
FILE: People approach the California Department of Motor Vehicles office in the Arleta neighborhood of Los Angeles on April 9, 2019. 
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Overview

  • Starting May 7, travelers 18 and older must present a REAL ID-compliant license or an approved alternative, such as a passport, to board domestic flights or access federal facilities.
  • California DMV and Ohio BMV offices are extending hours and offering special appointments to accommodate the surge in last-minute REAL ID applications.
  • REAL IDs require proof of identity, Social Security number, and two documents showing state residency, and are marked by a star on the upper right corner of the ID.
  • The TSA warns that travelers without compliant IDs or approved alternatives may face additional screening, delays, or denial at security checkpoints.
  • Currently, only about 60% of U.S. driver’s licenses are REAL ID-compliant, leaving millions at risk of travel disruptions if they do not act before the deadline.