Deadline Looming: Are You Ready for the Real ID Changes?

Millions of Americans face travel chaos as the May 7th Real ID deadline approaches, with nearly 40% of IDs currently failing to meet the new federal security standards.

Quick Takes

Beginning May 7, 2025, a Real ID or alternative like a passport will be required for domestic flights and entering federal facilities.
Despite a 20-year implementation period, only 61.2% of IDs are expected to meet Real ID standards by the deadline.
The security measure, recommended by the 9/11 Commission, aims to reduce ID counterfeiting and enhance national security.
TSA reports about 20% of travelers currently lack proper documentation at checkpoints.
DMV offices are experiencing unprecedented demand, with some locations opening special processing centers to handle the rush.

Security Measure Two Decades in the Making

The Real ID Act, passed by Congress in 2005 following a recommendation from the 9/11 Commission, established minimum security standards for state-issued driver’s licenses and identification cards. Despite multiple deadline extensions over the past two decades, millions of Americans remain unprepared for the final implementation date of May 7, 2025. When the deadline arrives, anyone 18 or older will need a Real ID-compliant license or an acceptable alternative like a passport to board domestic flights or enter certain federal facilities. The approaching enforcement has created increasing urgency for those who haven’t yet obtained the enhanced identification.

Real IDs are easily identifiable by a star in the upper right corner, while Enhanced Driver’s Licenses (available in certain states) display an American flag and the word “Enhanced.” These upgraded identification documents require more stringent verification of personal information than standard licenses, including proof of full legal name, date of birth, Social Security number, and two documents showing state residency. The enhanced security features were specifically designed to combat the use of fraudulent identification documents, which played a role in the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

Low Compliance Rates Raise Travel Concerns

Despite extensive public information campaigns, compliance rates remain alarmingly low. As the deadline approaches, only 61.2% of IDs and driver’s licenses are expected to meet the Real ID standard. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) reports approximately 81% compliance at checkpoints nationwide, revealing that nearly one-fifth of travelers are using identification that will become insufficient next May. This gap in preparation threatens to create significant disruptions at airports and federal checkpoints if millions of Americans don’t update their identification in time.

The TSA has stated that enforcement will follow a phased approach, but travelers without proper identification should expect delays at security checkpoints. The Real ID is not required for driving, voting, applying for federal benefits, or other everyday uses of identification. However, for the millions of Americans who fly domestically or need to access federal facilities, obtaining compliant identification before the deadline is essential to avoid travel disruptions and access limitations.

Growing Demand Creates DMV Challenges

As awareness of the deadline increases, Department of Motor Vehicle offices across the country are experiencing surging demand for appointments. In Miami-Dade County, Florida, there have been reports of scalpers selling DMV appointments to desperate residents seeking Real IDs. Some states are taking creative approaches to handle the influx, with Illinois opening a dedicated Real ID supercenter specifically designed to process applications more efficiently.

Obtaining a Real ID requires an in-person visit to a DMV office with a collection of important documents: proof of identity with full legal name, proof of date of birth, proof of Social Security number, and two documents showing current state residency. This documentation burden, combined with the need for an appointment at often-crowded DMV offices, has likely contributed to the slow adoption rate. For those who rarely travel by air or visit federal facilities, the inconvenience may not seem worth the effort, but as the deadline approaches, the potential consequences of non-compliance become more serious.

With just months remaining before the final deadline, Americans who haven’t yet obtained a Real ID are strongly encouraged to make the necessary arrangements. Alternative forms of identification, including U.S. passports, passport cards, military IDs, and certain trusted traveler cards like Global Entry, will also be accepted. However, with nearly 40% of Americans potentially lacking compliant identification, the potential for significant disruptions looms large as the May 7th deadline approaches.