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4mo ago

REAL ID Enforcement Deadline Looms as Millions Face Travel Uncertainty

With less than three weeks until the May 7 deadline, 19% of U.S. air travelers remain without compliant identification, straining DMVs and raising concerns over airport delays.

Travelers move through Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport ahead of Memorial Day, Friday, May 24, 2024, in Atlanta.
A pamphlet with an example of REAL ID. While the REAL ID law has been on the books and planned for 20 years, a final deadline date has quickly snuck up on people across the country who are running into scheduling bottlenecks with state offices. This is especially true in states that allow those living in the country illegally to get driver's licenses. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune)
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Overview

  • Starting May 7, 2025, travelers aged 18 and older must present a REAL ID-compliant license or an accepted alternative, such as a U.S. passport, to board domestic flights or access federal facilities.
  • Approximately 81% of travelers have compliant IDs, but millions remain unprepared, with some states reporting compliance rates below 50%.
  • DMVs nationwide are experiencing long lines, appointment shortages, and significant backlogs as residents rush to upgrade their licenses ahead of the deadline.
  • TSA has warned of potential delays at security checkpoints for travelers without compliant IDs, who may face secondary screenings or be denied boarding.
  • The REAL ID Act, passed in 2005, aims to standardize ID security across states but has faced nearly two decades of delays due to logistical, privacy, and cost concerns.