Particle.news
Download on the App Store
12 ARTICLES
·
3w ago

REAL ID Enforcement Deadline Approaches as DMVs Extend Hours Nationwide

Starting May 7, 2025, U.S. domestic air travelers must present a REAL ID-compliant license or other approved identification to pass TSA checkpoints.

The California Department of Motor Vehicles field office in Santa Monica, Calif.
Representative Thomas Massie can be seen questioning U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland during a hearing by the House Judiciary Committee, Washington, D.C., June 4, 2024. (Photo by Allison Bailey / Middle East Images / Middle East Images via AFP) (Photo by ALLISON BAILEY/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images)
Image
A sign at the federal courthouse in Tacoma, Wash, is shown to inform visitors of the federal government's REAL ID act.

Overview

  • The REAL ID Act, passed in 2005 as a post-9/11 security measure, will be enforced starting May 7, 2025, after multiple delays.
  • Approximately 81% of travelers already hold REAL ID-compliant identification, though compliance rates vary by state.
  • DMVs across the country are extending hours, opening pop-up centers, and launching initiatives to handle the surge in last-minute applications.
  • Travelers without a REAL ID or approved alternative, such as a passport, may face delays, additional screening, or be denied passage at TSA checkpoints.
  • Critics, including Representative Thomas Massie, argue the law infringes on civil liberties, while proponents emphasize its role in enhancing national security.