TSA to provide necessary flexibility as federal agencies prepare to enforce REAL ID requirements beginning May 7, 2025.

• TSA is engaging with the public, licensing jurisdictions and states to facilitate a smooth transition to REAL ID enforcement beginning May 7, 2025.
• REAL ID provides an important security enhancement, a range of scenarios need to be considered to help minimize the potential impact to travelers, industry stakeholders and states during implementation.

• Real ID will be mandatory from May 2025, but the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will accept other identification tests.

From May 7, 2025, in order to fly within the United States, it will be necessary to have a Real ID. If you don't have the document, you should know that there are others that may be admitted by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).

REAL ID is the new requirement that will replace the use of traditional driver's licenses or state IDs, which until now were accepted to fly within the country. This measure was initially scheduled for May 2023, but was postponed until 2025.

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that would provide federal agencies with necessary flexibility to begin enforcement of the REAL ID regulations on the May 7, 2025, deadline in a manner that takes into account security, operational risk and public impact.

This proposed rule seeks to ensure that federal agencies, including TSA, are well positioned to begin enforcing REAL ID requirements on May 7, 2025. The proposed rule does not extend the REAL ID deadline.

Instead, it would allow TSA to consider a phased enforcement approach to REAL ID implementation. Travelers without a REAL ID compliant ID or another form of acceptable ID after the May 7, 2025 deadline could face delays at airport security checkpoints.

“TSA is engaging with the public, licensing jurisdictions and states to facilitate a smooth transition to REAL ID enforcement beginning May 7, 2025,” said TSA Administrator David Pekoske. “REAL ID provides an important security enhancement, and this rule allows us to plan for a range of scenarios to help minimize the potential impact to travelers, industry stakeholders and states during implementation.”

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) indicates that adult passengers over the age of 18 must show a valid ID at the airport checkpoint in order to travel. If you do not have a REAL ID, these documents are accepted:

• Driver's licenses or other photo identification documents issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles (or equivalent)
• U.S. Passport
• U.S. Passport Card
• DHS Trusted Traveler Cards (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST)
• U.S. Department of Defense ID, including IDs issued to dependents
• Permanent resident card
• Border crossing card
• An acceptable photo ID issued by a federally recognized tribal nation or Indian tribe
• HSPD-12 PIV Card
• Passport issued by a foreign government
• Canadian provincial driver's license or Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada card
• Transportation Worker Identification Credential
• U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Employment Authorization Card (I-766)
• U.S. Merchant Seaman Credential
• Veterans Health Identification Card (VHIC)

The REAL ID Act, which was enacted following the 9/11 Commission's recommendation, established minimum security standards for state-issued drivers’ licenses and identification cards for the purpose of boarding federally regulated commercial aircraft, accessing certain federal facilities, and entering nuclear power plants. 

This comes as a result of the REAL ID Act, which was passed nearly 20 years ago by Congress in 2005. According to the Department of Homeland Security, it establishes minimum security standards for state-issued driver’s licenses and identification cards.

Anyone 18 years and older that plans to fly domestically or visit certain federal facilities will need a REAL ID, or another acceptable form of identification.

Transportation Security Administration says,

Identity verification is foundational to security. Enforcement of the REAL ID Act and regulations enhances TSA’s ability to accurately verify a traveler’s identity document. 

For more information on REAL ID, please visit TSA.gov/real-id.

Source : Transportation Security Administration (TSA)