What happens if you skip REAL ID and keep your driver’s license after 2025

Key Takeaways

• After May 7, 2025, non-REAL ID licenses cannot be used for domestic flights or secure federal buildings entry.
• You can still drive and use a standard license for everyday tasks but need alternative federal ID for TSA security.
• TSA accepts passports, Enhanced Driver Licenses, military IDs, and Green Cards as alternative identification at airport checkpoints.

This FAQ is designed to help you understand what will happen if you choose not to get a REAL ID after the new rules begin on May 7, 2025. Below you’ll find answers to common questions about how this change affects your driver’s license, traveling by air, entering federal buildings, and more. The information here is explained in plain language and is based on reliable sources, including government websites and major news outlets. References to official sources are included where you can find more details. For further questions, links, and guidance, see the end of this FAQ.

Most Popular Questions

– Will I still be able to drive with my regular driver’s license if I don’t get a REAL ID?
– Can I fly within the United States 🇺🇸 without a REAL ID?
– What should I do if I only have a standard ID and need to go through TSA airport security?
– Do I need a REAL ID to enter government buildings?

1. What is a REAL ID?

A REAL ID is a special type of state-issued driver’s license or identity card that meets new federal standards set by the United States 🇺🇸 government. These rules were made to make IDs more secure and harder to fake. A REAL ID looks very similar to a regular driver’s license but has a gold or black star in the corner to show it is REAL ID-compliant.

2. Will my regular driver’s license or state ID still be valid for driving and everyday identification in my state?

Yes. Your regular (non-REAL ID) driver’s license or state ID will continue to work for:
– Driving legally, both inside your state and across state lines.
– Proving your age to buy things like alcohol or tobacco.
– Most other situations that require showing ID, such as at stores, banks, or schools.

You do not need a REAL ID to drive or to show who you are in most day-to-day situations inside your state.

3. Can I use my regular driver’s license at TSA airport security to board a plane for flights within the United States 🇺🇸 after May 7, 2025?

No. After May 7, 2025, regular driver’s licenses and IDs that are not REAL ID-compliant will not be accepted at TSA airport security for domestic flights. If you try to use a non-REAL ID card at airport security after that date, you will not be allowed through the checkpoint or onto your flight unless you have an approved backup ID.

Key point: The rule is for flights that are inside the United States 🇺🇸 (domestic flights). Your standard driver’s license or ID card will not work as ID at the airport for these flights once the new law is in place.

4. What other forms of identification will TSA airport security accept for boarding a domestic flight if I don’t have a REAL ID?

If you don’t have a REAL ID, you may use one of these approved forms of ID to get through TSA airport security:
– A valid United States 🇺🇸 passport or passport card
– An Enhanced Driver License (EDL) – available in some states
– U.S. military ID
– Permanent Resident Card (Green Card)
– Other TSA-approved identification documents

Note: Not everyone has these documents. If you rely only on a standard driver’s license or state ID, you will need to plan ahead.

5. What happens if I show up at TSA airport security for a domestic flight without a REAL ID or an approved alternative?

If you arrive at the airport for a domestic flight without a REAL ID or any other accepted identification, you may go through a secondary screening process. Here’s what to expect:
– TSA agents may try to confirm your identity using personal questions and extra documents.
– This process can be slow and stressful.
– Sometimes, even with extra steps, they may not be able to prove who you are. If that happens, you will not be allowed through security, and you will miss your flight.

Travelers in this situation are warned to arrive at least three hours early because the process can take a long time and is not always successful.

Warning: There is a real risk of being delayed or turned away if your only ID is a regular driver’s license after May 7, 2025.

6. Will I be able to enter federal buildings or military bases with my non-REAL ID driver’s license or state ID?

No. After May 7, 2025, you will not be able to use a regular driver’s license or state-issued ID card to enter certain federal government buildings, military bases, or other areas with tight security. You will need a REAL ID or another approved form of federal ID for entry to these places.

This applies to buildings and facilities that have to follow strict federal security rules. If you visit a federal courthouse, some government offices, or military installations, be prepared to show a REAL ID or another accepted federal identification.

7. Which activities do not require a REAL ID?

You do not need a REAL ID for:
– Voting in elections
– Driving anywhere in the United States 🇺🇸
– Accessing hospitals or normal health care facilities
– Entering national parks
– Picking up Social Security checks or any other federal benefits

Your standard driver’s license or state-issued ID will continue to work for these purposes.

8. If I decide not to get a REAL ID, what situations will change for me?

If you choose not to get a REAL ID, you will need another approved federal identification document for:
– Checking in at TSA airport security for domestic flights
– Entering certain secure federal buildings or military bases

Everywhere else, very little will change. You will still be able to:
– Drive and use your car as usual with your current driver’s license
– Use your standard ID card for daily tasks that need ID

If you already have a passport or another approved ID, you can use that for flying or entering federal spaces. If you do not, you should plan ahead to get one or consider applying for a REAL ID.

9. Is there a backup plan if I need to fly but do not have a REAL ID or any other approved identification?

If you must travel by air within the United States 🇺🇸 and do not have a REAL ID or any approved alternative ID, you can try to prove your identity through a detailed screening at the airport. This process includes:
– Answering personal questions that only you should know
– Providing additional documents, like credit cards, mail, or other papers with your name
– Undergoing possible background checks

However:
– This is not always successful.
– It causes significant delays.
– If your identity cannot be confirmed, you will be denied entry to airport security and miss your flight.

10. What is the Enhanced Driver License (EDL), and how is it different from a REAL ID?

An Enhanced Driver License (EDL) is another type of ID accepted at TSA airport security. Not all states offer it. The EDL is different from a REAL ID because:
– It allows travel between the United States 🇺🇸 and nearby countries such as Canada 🇨🇦, Mexico 🇲🇽, and some Caribbean nations by land or sea.
– It meets federal rules for both driving and proof-of-identity for certain border crossings.
– It is marked differently from a REAL ID and serves special purposes.

Check if your state offers the EDL if you want this as an option in place of a REAL ID.

11. What official government resources can I use to learn more about TSA-approved IDs and REAL ID rules?

You can visit the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s REAL ID FAQ page for detailed and up-to-date information. The site lists all approved forms of identification, explains the new rules, and tells you how to get a REAL ID if you want one.

12. What myths or misunderstandings exist about REAL ID rules?

Myth #1: “I need a REAL ID to drive my car.”
– Reality: You do not need a REAL ID to drive. Your regular driver’s license will still allow you to drive as before.

Myth #2: “You can’t fly at all without a REAL ID.”
– Reality: You can still fly within the United States 🇺🇸 without a REAL ID as long as you have another federal ID, like a passport, EDL, or military ID.

Myth #3: “Everyone must have a REAL ID.”
– Reality: Not everyone needs a REAL ID. Some people have passports or other documents and may decide not to get a REAL ID.

13. What should immigrants, non-citizens, or international visitors in the United States 🇺🇸 know?

Immigrants, lawful permanent residents, and certain non-citizens should be aware:
– If you have a Green Card (Permanent Resident Card), this works as an accepted TSA airport security ID.
– Other immigration documents may also be accepted; check with TSA for a full list before planning travel.
– You do not need a REAL ID to drive if you have another valid driver’s license.
– For official travel, always bring your most secure (federal) identification with you.

14. Will I need a REAL ID for children, or can kids board planes with regular ID?

Children under 18 do not need a REAL ID to fly domestically in the United States 🇺🇸 when traveling with an adult who has acceptable identification. However, if teenagers over 18 are flying alone, they will need to follow the same ID rules as adults at TSA airport security.

15. How can I tell if my driver’s license or ID is a REAL ID?

Look for a gold or black star in the upper corner of your license or state ID card. Every state places the star in a slightly different spot, but it will be bold and easy to see. If you don’t see a star, your card is probably not a REAL ID.

16. How do I get a REAL ID if I decide I want one later?

If you change your mind and want a REAL ID, go to your local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). You’ll need to bring:
– Proof of who you are (such as a birth certificate or passport)
– Proof of your Social Security Number
– Proof of your home address (such as a utility bill or bank statement)

Check with your state DMV for specific instructions, as each state is a little different.

17. Where can I see a full list of acceptable identification for TSA airport security?

For the full list and official instructions, check the Transportation Security Administration’s identification requirements page. Always make sure your ID is current and not expired before going to the airport.

18. What do experts say about the impact of the REAL ID rollout?

VisaVerge.com’s investigation reveals that most problems after the 2025 deadline come from travelers who do not have alternative identification, like a passport or military ID. Delays at airport security are likely if many people do not have proper documents. Some states are still helping residents get REAL IDs, but it is important to know the new rules and be prepared.

19. What are the key facts to remember if I do not plan to get a REAL ID?

• You can keep driving and use your driver’s license for most basic needs.
• You cannot use your standard license at TSA airport security for domestic flights after May 7, 2025.
• You cannot use your standard license to enter some federal government buildings or military bases.
• You do not need a REAL ID for voting, healthcare, or national parks.

Summary Table: What Happens Without a REAL ID After May 7, 2025?

Where can I get help or more information?

• Ask your state’s DMV for guidance on REAL ID requirements.
• Use the Department of Homeland Security REAL ID FAQ for up-to-date federal info.
• Visit VisaVerge.com for detailed news and updates about REAL ID, driver’s license rules, and other immigration topics.

Final thoughts

If you do not plan to get a REAL ID by the deadline, be sure you have another accepted ID for TSA airport security and for secure federal facilities. Review all government rules before traveling or visiting official sites. Taking these steps will help you avoid problems, delays, and missed opportunities after May 7, 2025. If you have questions, seek official help early, and remember, the rules are there for your security and that of others.

Learn Today

REAL ID → A state-issued driver’s license or ID card meeting federal security standards, identified by a gold or black star.
TSA → Transportation Security Administration, the federal agency responsible for airport security, including checking passenger identification.
Enhanced Driver License (EDL) → A special driver’s license offered in some states, accepted for air travel and certain border crossings.
Permanent Resident Card (Green Card) → A document issued to lawful permanent residents allowing proof of status and ID for federal purposes.
Secondary screening → An in-depth identity verification process at airport security if standard ID is not accepted or insufficient.

This Article in a Nutshell

Beginning May 7, 2025, standard driver’s licenses will not allow you to board domestic flights or enter certain federal buildings. REAL ID-compliant cards or approved alternatives, like passports, will be required. Everyday driving and identification remain unchanged, but travelers should plan ahead to avoid airport issues and missed flights.
— By VisaVerge.com

Read more:

• Enhanced Driver’s License accepted for domestic flights under REAL ID rules
• Florida Slams Immigrants With Tough Driver’s License Rules
• REAL ID Act set new rules for driver’s licenses after September 11
• US driver’s license holders can easily convert to New Zealand license
• REAL ID not required for standard driver’s license in most states