Fri Apr 11 23:10:00 UTC 2025: ## Real ID Deadline Looms: Travelers Must Update IDs for Domestic Flights

**Washington, D.C.** – The long-awaited deadline for Real ID-compliant identification at airport security checkpoints is fast approaching. Starting May 7th, standard driver’s licenses and state IDs will no longer be accepted for domestic flights. Travelers will need a Real ID-compliant license or another approved form of identification, such as a passport.

The Department of Homeland Security implemented this change to enhance aviation security by standardizing state-issued identification. Real IDs are marked with a star (usually gold or black) and are federally compliant. Driver’s licenses without the star are not Real IDs. Some non-compliant IDs will also display the words “Federal limits apply.”

While the percentage of Americans with Real ID-compliant licenses varies widely by state (e.g., Pennsylvania at just over 26%, California at over 55%), the TSA urges all travelers to verify their identification before their next flight. Those needing to obtain a Real ID should contact their state’s Department of Motor Vehicles for information on how to update their driver’s license or obtain a Real ID-compliant identification card. Failure to have the proper identification will prevent passengers from boarding domestic flights.

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