Before a domestic U.S. flight, check which identification you plan to present at the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoint. REAL ID enforcement began in 2025, but a compliant state-issued driver’s license or identification card is not the only possible option for every traveler.
Check your ID before travel
Look at the front of your state driver’s license or ID for the state’s REAL ID marking, often a star. Designs differ by state, so use your state motor-vehicle agency’s official website if you are unsure. Do not assume an old license is compliant based only on its appearance.
Know that alternatives may be accepted
TSA lists other acceptable identification documents, including a valid U.S. passport or passport card and certain trusted-traveler cards. The exact list and any temporary policies can change, so confirm it on the official TSA page before departure. International trips have separate passport and entry-document requirements.
What to do if your license is not compliant
- Check the TSA’s current acceptable-ID list.
- If you want a REAL ID card, review your state DMV’s document requirements and appointment process.
- Allow time to obtain the card; do not rely on a last-minute application.
- If you lack an accepted document, read TSA’s current identity-verification guidance before travel. Screening may take longer and alternative verification is not guaranteed.
Airport-day checklist
- Put your chosen ID in an easy-to-reach, secure place.
- Make sure the name on your reservation matches your travel documents closely enough to avoid check-in problems.
- Arrive with the airline’s recommended time buffer, especially during busy holiday periods.
- Keep a separate secure record of document details, but do not post images of your ID online.
Use the TSA REAL ID page and its current acceptable identification list as the final authority. Rules and accepted documents can change; verify them before every trip.
Image credit: Global Residence Index / Unsplash.
