The REAL ID initiative has been in the works for nearly two decades. But it’s still not entirely rolled out. Is 2025 the year we finally adopt REAL IDs? And will you be impacted? Here’s what you need to know about REAL ID Act requirements and deadlines.
The REAL ID Act was passed in 2005. It was intended to provide federal oversight for state-issued identification cards, providing minimum security standards for Travelers in all 50 states.
When talk in the travel community first began swirling around the REAL ID Act, Travelers bemoaned the extra hassle it would potentially cause. Suddenly, they wouldn’t be able to just show their current driver’s license and fly. Now, they’d need to upgrade to a REAL ID in order to get through TSA.
However, those worries were a bit unfounded, as we’ve seen over our years of covering the REAL ID Act Requirements and deadlines. The federal government allowed for states to slowly comply with the Act. It wasn’t until late 2017 (a whopping 12 years after the Act was passed) that all 50 states came upon a deadline for either compliance or extension. Many opted for an extension.
As of 2020, 48 states had finally successfully revamped their state-issued driver’s licenses to be compliant with REAL ID standards. Meanwhile, two outliers — Oklahoma and Oregon — had not. In 2020, however, the COVID-19 pandemic quickly derailed many non-crucial initiatives, such as the REAL ID Act. As such, the final non-compliant states were given extra time to become compliant, with a new compliance deadline of Oct. 1, 2021.
You can probably guess what happened in October 2021, though. When the deadline rolled around, the deadline was pushed back yet again to the spring of 2023. That said, by 2021, all states had finally gotten on board with issuing REAL IDs — but that doesn’t mean that all Travelers had acquired them.
As such, it became Travelers that were up against the new 2023 deadline, not states. Travelers had the means to acquire a REAL ID if desired, but they didn’t have to acquire one if they weren’t planning on traveling through American airports and didn’t want to use their driver’s license as their proof of identity.
This new spring of 2023 deadline for Travelers, though, was pushed back yet another time. Now, we’re coming up with another REAL ID deadline, but will this one hold?
What’s the status of the REAL ID Act today?
As of today, the REAL ID deadline for Travelers to obtain a REAL ID in order to board any domestic flight or access certain federal facilities is set for May 7, 2025. However, as of September 2024, the U.S. Transportation Security Administration announced it was considering a flexible implementation permitting agencies “flexibility” in implementing the REAL ID regulations before full enforcement on May 5, 2027.
Do note that this isn’t exactly proposing moving the deadline yet again. You should still go ahead and get that REAL ID if you don’t have one yet. However, it could mean that you might get a little bit of leeway. The TSA could choose a phased enforcement of the Act, but there are no promises. Not having a REAL ID by May 7, 2025, is a risk you don’t want to take. Even those with another form of acceptable identification at the airport will want a REAL ID to avoid delays.
Currently, the TSA accepts alternative forms of identification, including:
- U.S. passport
- U.S. passport card
- DHS trusted traveler cards (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST)
- U.S. Department of Defense ID, including IDs issued to dependents
- Permanent resident card
- Border crossing card
- An acceptable photo ID issued by a federally recognized Tribal Nation/Indian Tribe, including Enhanced Tribal Cards (ETCs).
- 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
- Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC)
The short story? Get your REAL ID, just to be safe. As of yet, it doesn’t appear as if the deadline will be pushed back a final time, and even if the TSA does gradually phase in enforcement, you could face delays and similar struggles at the airport if you don’t have a REAL ID.
How to Get a REAL ID
Luckily, getting a REAL ID is easy. First, check to see if your current driver’s license features a star or flag on the front. If it does, it’s a REAL ID. If it doesn’t, it’s not.
To get a REAL ID, you’ll need to apply for one with the DMV. Just as is the case when you get a new driver’s license, you just need to show the relevant documentation, such as proof of address and a social security card and go to the DMV to have a new license issued.
What are Other Countries Doing?
It’s not just the United States that’s cracking down on Traveler identification.
According to Business Travel News, in January 2025, the United Kingdom will begin requiring all non-European Travelers to apply for Electronic Travel Authorization before entry into the country. The requirement expands to European Travelers in April 2025. Previously, the program had only made this a requirement for Travelers arriving from certain Middle Eastern locales.
Once you apply for and successfully obtain an ETA, this “pass” of sorts will be valid for multiple trips over a few years (so long as your passport does not expire during that timeframe). The easiest way to apply for an ETA is through the UK ETA app or via the GOV.UK website.
Similarly, in Europe in 2025, the European Travel Information and Authorisation System will likewise require Travelers from visa-exempt countries like the United States to apply for an ETIAS authorization in order to enter 30 European countries. You can fill out the application form using either the official ETIAS website or the ETIAS mobile application.
Both the ETA and ETIAS programs will require small fees.
Are You Prepared for Your Next Business Trip?
It’s easy to assume that you won’t need any extra documentation to fly domestically — it’s so easy, after all — but don’t make that mistake as you plan your 2025 travel. Be sure that you have all the necessary documentation before you head to any destination.
Need more help? JTB Business Travel can ensure your next business trip is seamless through an abundance of resources that make business travel a breeze. Check out our full range of services and get in touch to learn more about our solutions today.
