Real ID vs. driver's license vs. enhanced driver's license: Everything you need to know

After a much-delayed rollout, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security will finally require American travelers to carry a Real ID for domestic airport travel starting Wednesday, May 7. Once this takes effect, regular driver's licenses and state-issued IDs will no longer pass muster at Transportation Security Administration checkpoints.

Here's everything you need to know about the new requirements and what makes a Real ID different from a driver's license or an enhanced driver's license.

How to tell if you have a Real ID

Because this law has been on the books for a while, many states started issuing Real IDs ahead of the deadline — meaning you might already have a Real ID.

Generally, IDs with a star or star cutout are Real ID-compliant.

However, if your ID is missing the star or says something like "federal limits apply" or "not for federal identification," you do not have a Real ID.

All 50 U.S. states, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa and the Northern Mariana Islands are now issuing compliant IDs. But just because you live in a state that issues a Real ID doesn't mean you'll automatically receive one. You'll need to make sure you request a Real ID.

You will also need to provide extra documentation. "To obtain a state-issued REAL ID, individuals must provide documentation showing their full legal name, date of birth, social security number, two proofs of address for their principal residence and proof of their lawful status," a spokesperson for the TSA told TPG. "States may impose additional requirements, so check with your state's driver's licensing agency website, before visiting them in person, for additional guidance and assistance."

This means you should double-check your ID for compliance. If you're still unsure, the DHS has a short quiz online to help you identify whether yours is compliant.

Can I still use a driver's license to fly in the US?

As of May 7, passengers will not be allowed through TSA checkpoints with a driver's license that isn't a Real ID. But while your driver's license may not be sufficient to pass through TSA checkpoints for domestic air travel, you can still travel with a U.S. passport or various TSA-approved forms of identification.

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If you don't upgrade your driver's license and don't have a Real ID, you can use one of the following:

• U.S. passport or passport card
• DHS Trusted Traveler card (Global Entry, Nexus, SENTRI, FAST)
• Permanent resident card
• U.S. Department of Defense ID
• Border-crossing card
• State-issued enhanced driver's license
• Photo ID issued by a federally recognized tribal nation/Indian tribe
• HSPD-12 PIV card
• Foreign government-issued passport
• Canadian provincial driver's license or Indian and Northern Affairs Canada card
• Transportation worker identification credential
• U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services employment authorization card (I-766)
• U.S. merchant mariner credential

Travelers under 18 don't need to provide identification when traveling with a companion, which will not change under the Real ID Act.

Can I use an enhanced driver's license instead of a Real ID?

Some states issue "enhanced driver's licenses," which will allow you to pass through airport security.

"Enhanced Drivers Licenses (EDLs) are state-issued enhanced drivers licenses that provide proof of identity and U.S. citizenship when crossing the U.S. border in a vehicle," according to the Department of Homeland Security. "They are issued in a secure process, and include technology that makes travel easier. EDLs are a low-cost, convenient option for entering the United States from Canada, Mexico or the Caribbean through a land or sea port of entry, in addition to serving as a permit to drive."

EDLs are available in the following states:

• Michigan
• Minnesota
• New York
• Vermont
• Washington

EDLs are considered acceptable alternatives to the standard Real ID-compliant driver's license.

Do I need a Real ID if I'm enrolled in PreCheck or Global Entry?

Yes, and you can use your physical Global Entry card as a valid form of ID — but you'll still need to bring along your Real ID (or another compliant photo ID) when traveling, even if you have PreCheck or Global Entry. A TSA PreCheck card will not qualify.

Do I need a Real ID if I have Clear?

Yes. You will still need a Real ID even if you have Clear, but you can upload your passport to the Clear app ahead of your trip. I would still bring the passport, but you may not need to show it if it's uploaded and approved in the Clear app.

Related: Real ID hack: Clear offering a workaround for those who miss the May 7 deadline

My state is compliant with Real ID. Does this mean my driver's license is OK?

Not necessarily.

The Real ID regulation requires that states recertify their compliance with the act every three years on a rolling basis, as determined by DHS. But as we mentioned earlier, just because your state issues compliant IDs doesn't mean you received one. Check for the star or star cutout to confirm your ID is compliant.

Do I need a Real ID to fly if I'm under 18?

Not unless you're flying alone. As mentioned earlier, minors traveling with a companion don't need to present a photo ID if they are under 18 years old, but they must be traveling with a Real ID-compliant adult.

How much does it cost to get a Real ID?

The cost of Real IDs varies by state but is usually $30. In most states, the fee for a Real ID is the same as for a regular driver's license.

What is the Real ID Act?

Congress passed the Real ID Act back in 2005, in response to the 9/11 Commission's recommendation that the government set clearer "standards for the issuance of sources of identification, such as driver's licenses."

This law established a uniform set of specifications for driver's licenses and other government-issued ID cards, prohibiting government agencies from accepting identification that did not meet the standards of the Real ID Act.

One of the act's goals was to add an extra layer of security to commercial aviation by making it more difficult for people to obtain false documents to access airplanes. Government agencies require more documentation when issuing Real IDs, and the cards are more advanced — and, therefore, harder to forge.

The law has taken two decades to implement because each state has different standards and processes for issuing photo IDs. Several states and the American Civil Liberties Union criticized the law, saying the federal government was overreaching.

The Real ID Act officially takes effect May 7.

Bottom line

If your driver's license is already Real ID-compliant, you should be good to travel. Keep in mind, however, as the new requirements roll out, there are likely to be long lines and a lot of confusion, so budget extra time at the airport.

If your license isn't up to the standard of the Real ID Act, upgrade it as soon as possible. In the meantime, while there may be some wiggle room for the next few years, you could be denied boarding without a compliant ID. TPG recommends bringing any and all additional documentation to prove your identity if you don't have a Real ID-compliant document, and prepare for additional screening times.

Also, you should have a backup plan in case the TSA refuses to allow you to travel without a Real ID.

Related reading:

• The top credit cards for Global Entry and TSA PreCheck
• Why you should get TSA PreCheck and Clear — and how you can save on both
• Travelers can now enroll in TSA PreCheck via Clear at 13 US airports
  
• 8 ways to get free or discounted TSA PreCheck, Global Entry and Clear