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.