If you missed that trip to the DMV, now is a good time to start planning how you will get Real ID. In less than six months, on May 3, 2023, the TSA will require all driver licenses presented at checkpoints to be subject to physical ID for travelers 18 years of age and older.
You may have noticed signs at airports warning of an impending change in TSA ID checks for a few years, but it’s really a decades-long shift. Congress passed the Real ID Act shortly after September 11, 2001, setting clearer standards for government-issued photo IDs.
The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) had planned to begin requiring physical IDs for flyers on October 1, 2020, but pushed the deadline many times during the COVID-19 pandemic when physical DMV locations in many states closed or operated at reduced capacity, and subsequently faced significant backlogs.
However, earlier this spring, the federal government authorized one final extension, setting a deadline of May 2023, which is this week, with less than six months left.
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How do I know if I have a real ID?
Because some states have issued Real ID compliant driver’s licenses for years, there’s a good chance your license is a real ID. In general, you can tell if your driver’s license matches your real ID by looking at the star in the upper right or left corner, as shown below.
Read more: Everything you need to know about getting a real ID
Even if you see an asterisk, if you want to double check that your ID is compliant, DHS has a tool on its website that can help you figure out if your ID will work for air travel. You can also use that page to check the status of your home and figure out what it will take to get a real ID.
How to get real ID
In many states, getting a real ID may only involve renewing your driver’s license. Earlier this year, DHS said that every state in the United States, as well as the District of Columbia and four of the five U.S. territories covered by the Real ID Act and related regulations, comply with its standards. True ID security standards. can obtain their real ID-compliant driver’s license. Costs vary by state, ranging from $10-$85.
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We recommend planning and potentially scheduling an appointment to get your ID early as you may still encounter situations where state DMVs are making weekly or even monthly appointments.
On top of that, due to this deadline, it is likely that many visitors will want to have their permits renewed in the coming months, so planning ahead can be helpful. As of this spring, less than half of all state-issued driver licenses and identification cards are Real ID compliant, DHS said.
Can you still fly without a real ID?
If you are unable to get a physical ID between now and May 3, 2023, you can still fly as long as you bring the necessary documents to the airport.
Most notably, TSA will accept U.S. passports and passports, U.S. Department of Defense IDs, DHS Trusted Travel Cards, and state-issued enhanced driver licenses, issued in a state number and provide proof of both US identity and citizenship.
Also note that even if you have Remove or Pre-Check TSAyou still need an ID that matches the requirements in the actual ID.
Key point
While you may already have a real ID in your wallet, for those who have been waiting to get one, now is the time to act: Less than six months to the deadline, then you will need it to get through the TSA checkpoints.
Read more: TPG’s guide to all you need to know about real ID.
Additional reporting by Sean Cudahy.
