TSA Lets Five States Dodge REAL ID With New Option

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Key Takeaways

• REAL ID required for U.S. flights and federal buildings starting May 7, 2025; gold star indicates compliance.
• Residents of Washington, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, and Vermont may use Enhanced Driver’s Licenses for travel.
• Other TSA-accepted IDs include U.S. passport, green card, and trusted traveler cards; temporary paper licenses not accepted.

With the May 7, 2025, deadline coming soon, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has updated travelers about new identification rules for flights and entry to federal buildings in the United States 🇺🇸. For most Americans, this means having a special kind of identification known as a REAL ID. However, five states—Washington, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, and Vermont—will allow travelers to use different forms of identification called Enhanced Driver’s Licenses (EDLs). This change affects millions of people and is meant to increase national security after recommendations from the 9/11 Commission almost two decades ago.

What is REAL ID?

TSA Lets Five States Dodge REAL ID With New Option

The REAL ID Act was passed by Congress back in 2005. The main goal was to make driver’s licenses and state identification cards harder to fake and use stricter checks to prove who people are. This was in response to the 9/11 attacks, where security flaws in identification were found. Starting May 7, 2025, most Americans will need a REAL ID-compliant license or another approved form of identification to board domestic flights, visit certain federal buildings, or enter military bases.

You can tell if your license or state ID is a REAL ID because it will have a gold star in the upper right corner. If your card does not have this gold star, then it probably does not meet the new rules under the REAL ID Act. Checking your card soon can save you from delays or problems at the airport or other locations.

Which States Offer an Alternative? The Role of Enhanced Driver’s Licenses

Residents of Washington, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, and Vermont have another choice instead of getting a REAL ID. In these five states, you can obtain an Enhanced Driver’s License (EDL). EDLs are a bit different from the usual driver’s licenses. Here’s what sets them apart:

EDLs meet all the same security standards set by the federal government under the REAL ID Act.
EDLs also allow you to cross land borders between the United States 🇺🇸 and both Canada 🇨🇦 and Mexico 🇲🇽. This means you can drive back and forth between these countries without needing a passport for land or sea travel.
They look different from standard driver’s licenses and, in these states, are considered a valid alternative to the REAL ID.

For residents of these five specific states, you can choose to use an EDL to travel on domestic flights or enter federal buildings after May 7, 2025, instead of getting a REAL ID. This gives you more flexibility, especially if you often travel to Canada 🇨🇦 or Mexico 🇲🇽 for work, family, or leisure.

Important Details for Residents of Other States

If you live in one of the other 45 U.S. states, the changes affect you differently. After the May 7 deadline, you must show a REAL ID-compliant license with the gold star or bring another approved identification to:

Board domestic commercial flights in the United States 🇺🇸
Enter federal buildings, such as courthouses or Social Security offices
Visit military bases and other secure government sites

Without a REAL ID-compliant license or similar, you could be prevented from boarding your flight or entering a federal building. This is important to know, especially if you travel often, work in places that require federal access, or plan to visit family members on military bases.

How Do You Get a REAL ID or EDL?

Each state’s process may differ, but the steps are mostly the same across the country. To get a REAL ID (or an Enhanced Driver’s License in the five special states), you’ll typically need to gather the following documents:

Proof of your identity, like a certified birth certificate or a valid U.S. passport
Proof of your Social Security number, such as a Social Security card or tax forms
Two items that show where you live, like a lease, mortgage statement, or utility bills
Proof that you are in the United States 🇺🇸 legally, such as a U.S. passport, permanent resident card, or other legal papers

Because the process can take time—and some states report that it might take up to three weeks to receive the new card in the mail—it’s smart to check your local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) website early. You may need to set up an appointment, bring original papers, and sometimes pay a fee. Temporary paper licenses are sometimes issued, but the TSA will not accept those for travel; only the finished, official plastic card will be approved.

For more state-by-state details and a list of exactly what documents you need, you can visit the Department of Homeland Security’s REAL ID page, which has guides and FAQ sections to help people prepare.

Why Is This Change Happening Now?

Federal officials have been talking about putting REAL ID rules in place for years. The process was slowed down several times, partly because of the COVID-19 pandemic and also because many states needed time to update their systems and train workers. Even though some people hoped for more delays, the Department of Homeland Security has now made clear that the May 7, 2025, date is final.

The idea is to make sure everyone who boards a plane or enters a federal building in the United States 🇺🇸 has gone through a higher level of identity check. This aims to cut down on fake IDs, make it harder for people to hide their true identity, and support broader safety efforts nationwide.

What Are the Broader Impacts?

For immigrants, frequent travelers, and people living in states with high international travel, the details matter a lot. If you are a permanent resident or a recent immigrant to the United States 🇺🇸, you may already have other forms of approved ID, like a green card or an Employment Authorization Document (EAD). But if you rely mostly on a state driver’s license, make sure it meets the new TSA rules.

If you’re an employer who works with people from different countries, you should remind your employees and coworkers about the new deadline. If your business means frequent travel within the United States 🇺🇸, making sure everyone is prepared will help avoid any disruption.

For students, especially those on student visas or exchange programs, you likely have a passport, but many use state IDs for day-to-day needs. Double-checking that your ID is REAL ID-compliant is a helpful step.

Analysis from VisaVerge.com suggests that some confusion still exists around whether people need a REAL ID, Enhanced Driver’s License, or some other document. Public education efforts will be important in the remaining months.

Common Questions and Concerns

What if I already have a passport?

If you have a valid U.S. passport or passport card, you do not need a REAL ID to fly domestically or enter federal buildings—you can simply use your passport.

How do I know if my license is REAL ID-compliant?

Look for a gold star on the upper right corner of your license. If it’s there, your license is REAL ID-compliant. If it’s absent, you’ll need to visit your state’s DMV to upgrade your card.

Is an Enhanced Driver’s License the same as a REAL ID?

No, but EDLs are different and even more secure in some ways. They act as both a license and a border-crossing document and are only issued in Washington, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, and Vermont. If you have an EDL from one of these states, you do not need a separate REAL ID.

Can I use a temporary or paper license to board a flight?

No. The TSA does not accept temporary or paper licenses as proof of identity for flights or federal building entry. Only the official, permanent card counts.

How long does it take to get a REAL ID or EDL?

Processing times differ, but in some places, it could be up to three weeks after you apply. Waiting until the last minute could leave you without proper identification at the deadline.

What Should You Do Now?

With less than a year before the deadline, here are some simple steps to follow:

Check your current driver’s license or ID for a gold star.
If you do not see the gold star, go to your local DMV’s website to learn how to apply for a REAL ID.
If you live in Washington, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, or Vermont and travel to Canada 🇨🇦 or Mexico 🇲🇽, consider getting an Enhanced Driver’s License.
If you already have a valid U.S. passport or another of the listed documents, you can continue to use that for boarding flights and federal buildings.
Remind friends, family, and coworkers, especially those who travel for work or have moved from another state, about the new rules.

For more detailed lists and official forms needed for your state, you can always turn to TSA’s own REAL ID information page for the most updated instructions.

What Happens If You Miss the Deadline?

If you arrive at an airport on or after May 7, 2025, without a REAL ID-compliant card, Enhanced Driver’s License, or other approved identification, the TSA will not let you pass security. The same goes for federal building entry. This could mean missing a flight, missing an appointment, or being unable to complete important work. Officials across the country urge everyone not to wait until the last moment.

Final Thoughts

The upcoming May 7, 2025, deadline marks one of the most important identification changes in years for U.S. residents. While some states offer more options with Enhanced Driver’s Licenses, most Americans will need to secure a REAL ID-compliant license. Officials have made it clear that there will be no more delays.

No matter your situation—citizen, student, immigrant, or frequent traveler—taking action soon will help you avoid problems later. For more information and a list of everything you need, check your DMV and Department of Homeland Security REAL ID site. This new rule is part of a wider effort to protect the public and simplify travel and access in the United States 🇺🇸 now and in the years ahead.

Learn Today

REAL ID → A federal standard for state-issued IDs designed to improve security and prevent identity fraud, required for certain federal purposes.
Enhanced Driver’s License (EDL) → A special state-issued license valid for air travel and land border crossings with Canada or Mexico, offered in five states.
TSA → Transportation Security Administration, agency responsible for security at U.S. airports and enforcing ID requirements.
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) → U.S. federal agency overseeing national security, including REAL ID regulations.
Gold Star → A symbol on the upper right of IDs, indicating compliance with the REAL ID Act’s federal security standards.

This Article in a Nutshell

Starting May 7, 2025, most Americans need a REAL ID-compliant license (gold star) or accepted alternative to fly domestically or enter federal buildings. Five states offer Enhanced Driver’s Licenses as substitutes. Prepare documents early—temporary paper licenses won’t work—to avoid travel or security disruptions. Check the DHS website for guidance.
— By VisaVerge.com

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