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TSA Confirms Full Enforcement of REAL ID Starting May 7, Warns of Potential Disruptions

Up to 20% of travelers lack compliant IDs, prompting concerns over delays and denied entry at airport security checkpoints.

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Real ID would be strictly mandatory for U.S. citizens from May 7 onwards.
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Overview

  • The TSA has announced that REAL ID enforcement will begin on May 7, 2025, with strict adherence to identification requirements at airport checkpoints.
  • Approximately 19–20% of travelers, or up to 513,000 daily passengers, may face additional screenings or denied entry due to non-compliant IDs.
  • Travelers without REAL ID-compliant licenses can use alternative credentials, such as passports or military IDs, and temporary proofs of REAL ID issuance will also be accepted if verifiable.
  • Airlines, including United and Delta, have raised concerns about potential flight disruptions and are urging flexibility to mitigate passenger impacts.
  • Enforcement practices may vary by airport, with smaller locations potentially experiencing longer security lines due to limited resources for separate processing lanes.