Back in January, I wrote about what you need to know about getting a REAL ID and why you might not need to worry yet. I wrote that I wasn’t worried for two reasons: One, I always travel with my passport and two, I was convinced they would push the deadline as they have for over a decade.
Back in 2005, Congress passed the REAL ID Act in response to the security gaps revealed by the 9/11 attacks, aiming to enhance identification standards and improve security. The original deadline was May 11, 2008, but, as expected, it was delayed, just like all the subsequent deadlines.
In early January, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) released an announcement that they had published a final rule stating: “Starting on May 7, 2025, only state-issued driver’s licenses and identification cards that meet the security requirements established by the REAL ID Act will be allowed for official purposes, including boarding commercial aircraft.”
I took that warning with a grain of salt, as did many travel experts, including travel veteran Joe Brancatelli who, in his newsletter, advised his readers to “ignore that May deadline for REAL ID because, well, it’s probably not real.”
Well, May 7 is less than a month away and the government hasn’t budged. Given all the delays and postponements in the past, I don’t know if they’re just trying to get as many people as possible to get a REAL ID before delaying it yet again or if this is it.
So, my advice is that if you plan on traveling on a commercial plane (including domestically) or entering a federal building and you don’t have a passport, passport card, military ID or a REAL ID … you better get cracking.
How to get a REAL ID
Here’s how to get a REAL ID, according to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS): “Visit your state’s driver’s licensing agency website to find out exactly what documentation is required to obtain a REAL ID. At a minimum, you must provide documentation showing:
- Full Legal Name
- Date of Birth
- Social Security Number
- Two Proofs of Address of Principal Residence
- Lawful Status.
States may impose additional requirements, so check with your state’s driver’s licensing agency website before visiting them in person for additional guidance and assistance.”
KEEP IN MIND: A local Los Angeles radio station, KNX 1070 News Radio brought to my attention that if you already have a REAL ID and you’re renewing it … be careful. They say: “The California DMV doesn’t issue new REAL IDs automatically – you have to check a box on the renewal form saying you want one. If you don’t check the box, you’ll get a federally non-compliant ID and ruin your upcoming vacation.”
KEEP READING
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–10 airport security hacks every traveler should know
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