05/06/2025
Tomorrow is officially REAL ID day!
Are you prepared?
By Joshua Mann – Editor, The National Observer, Boston Business Journal
Starting Wednesday, air travelers should prepare for more delays at the airport — especially if they aren’t in compliance with a law requiring a higher standard of identification.
The Real ID Act bars certain federal agencies, including the Transportation Security Administration, from accepting IDs issued that don't meet a certain standard. As of last month, about 19% of the identification presented to TSA agents at U.S. airports would have failed to meet the new requirements, according to TSA — though some of those passengers could have had alternate forms of ID that would have been acceptable, such as a valid passport.
After the compliance deadline was pushed back several times, Real ID requirements will begin to be enforced starting May 7.
While each U.S. state now issues Real ID-compliant drivers’ licenses, the portion of licenses in circulation that meet the standard vary from state to state. A CBS News report found New Jersey had the lowest level of compliance, at just 17%, while 12 other states were at least 90% compliant.
Individuals without an acceptable ID aren’t automatically barred from boarding their flights, but will likely face delays during security checks that might include not being allowed to board. The Real ID requirements apply to travelers 18 or older.
"If you don’t have the Real ID, or a passport or another acceptable form of ID by May 7, then you’re probably going to experience some delays at the checkpoint," Mark Howell, regional spokesperson for TSA, told Breanne Williams of the Tampa Bay Business Journal. "I don’t think there’s going to be a kind of systemic issue with screening at the checkpoints, but the individuals [who] aren’t prepared come the enforcement date may have some additional waits and screenings."
If a traveler shows up without acceptable documents, TSA will try to verify their identity in a process similar to a credit check, TSA spokesperson Patricia Mancha told Jenna Farhat of the Wichita Business Journal. That identity verification process could take 45 minutes or more, and security clearance is not guaranteed — especially if lines are long, she said.
Officials at several airports told Business Journals reporters those with proper ID likely won't face delays themselves, and some — like those in the San Francisco Bay Area — are bringing additional security staff in to help handle non-compliant passengers without affecting overall security wait times.
Approved drivers’ licenses will bear a star symbol. Other forms of acceptable ID include passports, military IDs and green cards.
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