The Transportation Security Administration says REAL ID is required to board domestic flights and to access certain federal facilities. TSA says enforcement of this requirement began on May 7, 2025. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security says the REAL ID Act sets minimum security standards for issuing driver’s licenses and identification cards and limits what federal agencies may accept for certain official purposes.
What REAL ID does
The Department of Homeland Security says the REAL ID Act, passed in 2005, enacted the 9/11 Commission’s recommendation for the federal government to set standards for sources of identification. DHS says the Act and its regulations set minimum security standards for license issuance and production. DHS also says the Act prohibits federal agencies from accepting for certain official purposes noncompliant driver’s licenses and identification cards, including physical cards and digital Mobile Driver’s Licenses.
When it is required for flights
TSA states that REAL ID is required to board domestic flights once enforcement is in effect. TSA says enforcement began May 7, 2025. TSA also says all travelers, including TSA PreCheck enrollees, must have a REAL ID or another acceptable form of identification in order to fly once the REAL ID requirement is enforced at airports.
How readiness is checked
TSA and DHS provide an interactive tool that asks whether a traveler plans to fly domestically or visit a federal facility. The tool then asks whether the driver’s license or ID has a star or flag or says “Enhanced.” If the license or ID has those markings, the tool indicates the traveler is REAL ID ready for domestic flights and may need this or another acceptable ID to visit federal facilities. If the license does not have those markings, the tool asks whether the traveler has a passport or another acceptable form of identification, which may be used instead of a REAL ID.
Acceptable IDs besides REAL ID
TSA says a passport is an acceptable form of identification and may be used in lieu of a REAL ID driver’s license or ID to board domestic flights and visit federal facilities. TSA also points to other acceptable forms of identification that may be used in place of a REAL ID and links to a list of those IDs.
Children and identification
TSA states that it does not require children under 18 to provide identification when traveling within the United States. TSA also says that an unaccompanied child with TSA PreCheck must present an acceptable ID to receive TSA PreCheck screening. TSA says it is important to contact the airline for questions about specific ID requirements for travelers under 18.
If there is no acceptable ID at the airport
TSA displays a ConfirmID alert stating that travelers without an acceptable form of ID must pay a $45 fee. TSA presents this alert alongside information about REAL ID and acceptable identification.
How to use the agencies’ planning tools
TSA and DHS host a REAL ID readiness page that asks the questions described above. For travelers who are not REAL ID ready and who do not have another acceptable ID, the page directs them to select their state or territory on a map to visit the local driver’s licensing agency to learn more. The agencies say the map helps travelers make a plan to be REAL ID ready.