Overview

• Starting May 7, 2025, Real ID-compliant identification or federally approved alternatives will be required for domestic flights and access to federal facilities.
• Long wait times and appointment shortages at DMVs nationwide, particularly in New Jersey, are leaving many Americans scrambling to meet the deadline.
• Real ID-compliant licenses are marked with symbols such as a star, and alternative IDs like passports and enhanced driver’s licenses remain valid for travel.
• TSA advises travelers without Real ID to arrive at airports three hours early to mitigate security delays after the deadline.
• The Real ID Act, passed in 2005 to enhance national security, has faced repeated delays, with the current deadline spurring a final rush for compliance.