Can You Fly Without a REAL ID After May 7 Deadline? What to Know

The time has come: REAL ID will finally be implemented in less than one week, about 20 years after it was initially proposed.

Why It Matters

The REAL ID Act, passed by Congress in 2005, enacted the 9/11 Commission’s recommendation for the federal government “set standards for the issuance of sources of identification, such as driver’s licenses.” It will officially go into effect May 7 and affect domestic travelers flying within the United States.

Americans and permanent residents will only be able to pass through airport security or enter some federal government buildings if they have a REAL ID or another valid form of identification, such as a passport or Enhanced Driver’s Licenses and identification cards (EDL/EID) issued in the following states: Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Vermont and Washington.

Individuals may still be able to board if all security guidelines are met, but that’s no guarantee. Such travelers should expect delays and possible refusal altogether.

What To Know

The Department of Homeland Security on its website issued the following guidance:

“Passengers who present a state-issued identification that is not REAL ID compliant and who do not have another acceptable alternative (i.e. Passport) can expect to face delays, additional screening and the possibility of not being permitted into the security checkpoint.”

The DHS says that noncompliant cards must clearly state that they are not acceptable for REAL ID purposes and be differentiated from compliant cards with a unique design or color.

It also “cautions against assuming that possession of a noncompliant card indicates the holder is an undocumented individual,” adding that individuals may obtain noncompliant cards for many reasons unrelated to lawful presence.

Transportation Security Administration (TSA) spokesperson Robert Langston told Newsweek on Thursday: “We are actively encouraging passengers who do not have either a state-issued REAL ID or another acceptable form of ID to give themselves plenty of time for additional screening at TSA checkpoints,” .

“Those over 18 years old without a REAL ID compliant credential may face delays and, in very rare instances, when a passenger’s identity cannot be verified, they may be denied entry into the secure area of the airport, he added.

“Though REAL ID compliant Enhanced IDs are issued in a limited number of border states, they are recognized nationally as compliant with the REAL ID Act.”

Langston previously told Newsweek that the rollout for REAL ID implementation has been smooth and that TSA has “no concerns” due to the efforts made by states’ motor vehicle bureaus nationwide. He then advised those without REAL ID or similar should arrive at airports about 3 hours prior to a flight to ensure they get through security.”

There were concerns in some pockets of the country earlier this year regarding not being able to make appointments for days or weeks at a time, as the rush to be legally compliant increased.

In its final rule issued January 14, 2025, the TSA said that agencies’ plans “may include an initial phase during which warning notices are issued and/or a phase involving progressive enforcement measures—such as a ‘three-strikes’ system or other methods—that enable agencies to begin enforcement without immediately denying access to individuals with noncompliant identification on the card-based enforcement deadline.”

REAL ID-compliant cards will have one of the following markings on the upper top portion of the card. The DHS warns that if a card does not have one of these markings, it is not REAL ID-compliant and won’t be accepted as proof of identity to board commercial aircraft.

States such as Michigan, even with residents with enhanced IDs being compliant, have seen drastic upticks in REAL ID sign-ups.

More than 74 percent of people with a Michigan driver’s license or ID had upgraded to a REAL ID as of April 16, according to the Michigan Department of State. Since March 18, state offices have added more than 35,000 extra appointments to accommodate demand and are operating more than 10 percent over normal capacity.

The Michigan’s REAL ID conversion rate for the week of April 7 was 62 percent—an increase of about 40 percent compared to the same week in 2024, when just 19 percent converted IDs.

“There is no discrepancy [in the law] since the enhanced license is automatically REAL ID compliant,” Samantha May, a spokesperson for the Michigan State Department, told Newsweek on Thursday. “If a Michigan resident has an enhanced ID, they are REAL ID compliant and are not expected to face delays at the airport after the deadline. Michigan enhanced licenses/IDs have a REAL ID star on them, just like other Michigan REAL ID compliant licenses/IDs.”

A New York DMV spokesperson told Newsweek on Thursday that 6.9 million New Yorkers now have a REAL ID-compliant documents, or about 45 percent of the population with a New York State permit, license or nondriver ID. In addition, 12.7 million New Yorkers have a passport, which is REAL ID-compliant.

“DMV offices have been extremely busy, and we have added Saturday hours at some locations and opened up Thursdays for REAL ID-only transactions to help handle the applications,” the spokesperson said. “Enhanced permits, licenses and nondriver IDs are REAL ID-compliant and can be used for domestic flights as we communicate regularly to our customers to avoid confusion.”

However, national rates still show gaps in Americans converting to REAL ID.

In January 2024, about 56 percent of driver’s licenses and IDs in circulation nationwide complied with the new protocols, according to the Federal Register. DHS estimates that 61.2 percent of driver’s licenses and IDs will be REAL ID-compliant by May 7.

“There is a real possibility disruptions … could occur if all agencies begin full enforcement on the deadline,” the Federal Register website reads. “Additionally, even if population-wide adoption rates are significantly higher than they are currently, these outcomes may nonetheless unfold if adoption rates remain low in specific states or amongst specific groups of individuals.”

Those with TSA PreCheck will also have to abide by REAL ID compliance.

What People Are Saying

New York DMV Commissioner Mark J.F. Schroeder on April 23: “As the deadline to get a REAL ID gets closer, take a moment to think about when you next plan to travel on a plane within the U.S. Once you visit our office and complete the paperwork, it takes about two weeks to get your new license. Give yourself time to get the REAL ID before your next flight. You do not have to rush to a DMV office to get one before May 7 if you’re not planning to fly soon. You will be able to get one after the deadline.”

Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson on April 16: “It’s great to see so Michiganders making sure they get their REAL ID before the May 7 deadline. While Michigan is already well above the national average for REAL ID compliance, the recent uptick in appointments is proof that residents are taking the necessary steps to avoid potential travel delays in the future.”

What Happens Next

If your current license is not Real ID-compliant, you’ll need to make an appointment with your local office and bring your current form of ID, a valid, unexpired U.S. passport, birth certificate, or other proof of legal presence document, and a certified legal name-change document if your name is different from what is on your birth certificate.

A full list of acceptable forms of identification can be found here.