Real ID requirements for air travel in US delayed until 2025
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, updated with new information.
Abandoning its upcoming May 2023 deadline, the Transportation Security Administration has announced that travelers now have another two years to get a Real ID compliant for air travel in the U.S.
As of May 7, 2025, TSA will require all driver’s licenses presented at checkpoints to be Real ID-compliant for travelers 18 and older.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security had planned to start requiring Real IDs for flyers on Oct. 1, 2020, but pushed the deadline back numerous times during the COVID-19 pandemic; this was because many states’ physical Department of Motor Vehicles locations shut down or operated at reduced capacity, then faced significant backlogs.
The 2025 deadline extension decision came about in part to "give states needed time" due to backlogs caused by the pandemic, according to a DHS press release issued today.
"REAL ID progress over the past two years has been significantly hindered by state driver’s licensing agencies having to work through the backlogs created by the pandemic," the statement said.
As a result, all air travelers age 18 and older now have until May 7, 2025, to obtain a Real ID.
“DHS continues to work closely with U.S. states, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. territories to meet REAL ID requirements,” Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas said in a press statement on Dec. 5. “This extension will give states needed time to ensure their residents can obtain a REAL ID-compliant license or identification card. The DHS will also use this time to implement innovations to make the process more efficient and accessible. We will continue to ensure that the American public can travel safely.”
How to determine if you have a Real ID
Because several states have issued Real ID-compliant driver’s licenses for years, there’s a decent chance your license is a Real ID. In general, you can tell if your driver’s license is Real ID-compliant by looking at the star in the upper right or left corner, as shown below.
If you see the star but want to double-check that your ID is compliant, the DHS has a tool on its website that can help you figure out whether your ID will work for air travel. You can also use that page to check by state and determine what it will take to get a Real ID.
How to get a Real ID
In many states, getting a Real ID may only involve renewing your driver’s license. Every state in the U.S. — as well as the District of Columbia and four of five U.S. territories covered by the Real ID Act and related regulations — are now compliant with Real ID security standards, the DHS said earlier this year. This means all residents should be able to obtain their Real ID-compliant driver’s license. The cost varies by state, ranging from $10 to $85.
We’d recommend making a plan and potentially setting an appointment to get your ID soon since you can still run into cases where state DMVs are booking appointments weeks or even months out.
On top of that, there will likely be many travelers looking to renew their licenses in the months leading up to the deadline, so planning ahead can be helpful. As of this spring, less than half of all state-issued driver’s licenses and identification cards were Real ID-compliant, according to the DHS.
Can you still fly if you don’t have a Real ID?
If you cannot get a Real ID between now and May 7, 2025, there are still ways you can fly, provided that you bring the necessary documentation to the airport.
Most notably, the TSA will accept U.S. passports and passport cards, U.S. Department of Defense IDs, the DHS Trusted Traveler Card and state-issued enhanced driver’s licenses (which are issued in certain states and provide proof of both identity and U.S. citizenship).
Also note that even if you have Clear or TSA PreCheck, you will still need to have an ID that matches the requirements under Real ID.
Bottom line
Some of you may already have a Real ID in your wallet. For those who don't, you now have until mid-2025 to obtain one, after which you’ll need a Real ID to get through TSA checkpoints.
Related: Everything you need to know about getting a Real ID
Additional reporting by Sean Cudahy.
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- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.