Starting May 7, 2025, every adult aged 18 and above planning to fly within the United States must present a specific form of identification to board a commercial aircraft. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has announced that travelers will need a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license, instruction permit, state-issued identification card, or another approved form of identification. Those who do not have these documents risk being delayed or denied entry at TSA security checkpoints.
With this mandate taking effect in less than a month, TSA officials are urging travelers to check whether their identification complies with REAL ID standards. If it doesn’t, they should make arrangements to update their documents or bring an alternate form of acceptable identification when traveling.
According to the TSA, delays at airport security are likely for travelers who fail to present proper ID. The extent of the delays will depend on how many others are also without compliant documents. Officials are warning that even minimal noncompliance could lead to significant hold-ups during the identity verification process.
TSA Federal Security Director Kc Wurtsbaugh emphasized the importance of being ready for the upcoming requirement. “With the upcoming federal enforcement of REAL ID exactly four weeks away, I can’t stress enough the importance of travelers being prepared. Take a few minutes now to determine what form of photo identification you will use to verify your identity the next time you travel by air,” he said.
Wurtsbaugh further advised travelers in Montana and other states where REAL ID cards are available to take immediate steps to obtain the correct identification. “If you need to apply for a REAL ID from the state of Montana, make plans to do so now. Even if you don’t have plans to travel by air now, your plans could change. Now is the time to make a plan,” he added.
Brian Sprenger, President and CEO of Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (BZN), also highlighted the importance of proper ID for air travel. “On behalf of Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (BZN), we would like to remind all travelers that possessing proper identification is essential for ensuring a smooth and efficient travel experience. We strongly encourage travelers to verify they have a valid form of ID ahead of time. This simple step will help ensure a seamless journey,” Sprenger said.
To avoid any travel disruptions, passengers must ensure their ID is REAL ID-compliant or be prepared with another document that TSA accepts for identity verification. A comprehensive list of acceptable identification forms is available on the TSA’s official website, and it includes several alternatives beyond state-issued driver’s licenses or ID cards.
Some of these alternatives include a valid U.S. passport or passport card, any government-issued passport, and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Trusted Traveler cards such as Global Entry and SENTRI cards. Military personnel and their dependents can use active duty or retired military IDs. Identification cards issued by federally-recognized tribes, as well as the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC), are also accepted.
The need for stricter ID verification stems from the REAL ID Act, which Congress passed in 2005 following recommendations by the 9/11 Commission. The Act was designed to establish minimum security standards for state-issued identification and to prevent federal agencies from accepting IDs that fall short of those standards. This move was made in response to vulnerabilities identified after the September 11 attacks.
REAL ID aims to enhance the accuracy and reliability of identification documents and to prevent individuals, including potential terrorists, from using fraudulent identification to avoid detection. As part of the nationwide effort to increase security in air travel, airport signs are already in place reminding passengers that beginning May 7, 2025, a REAL ID-compliant license or another approved ID will be mandatory for commercial flights.
TSA officials remind all adult travelers—those 18 and older—that they must present valid identification at airport checkpoints to be permitted through security and onto a flight.
Acceptable forms of ID under the new regulation include the following:
- State-issued driver’s license or photo ID card from the Department of Motor Vehicles (or its equivalent), as long as it is REAL ID compliant
- State-issued Enhanced Driver’s License
- Valid U.S. passport
- S. passport card
- DHS Trusted Traveler cards, such as Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, and FAST
- S. Department of Defense ID, including IDs issued to military dependents
- Permanent Resident Card
- Border Crossing Card
- Federally recognized Tribal Nation-issued photo ID, including Enhanced Tribal Cards (ETCs)
- HSPD-12 PIV card (Personal Identity Verification)
- Foreign government-issued passport
- Canadian provincial driver’s license or an Indian and Northern Affairs Canada card
- Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC)
- S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Employment Authorization Card (Form I-766)
- S. Merchant Mariner Credential
- Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC)
If travelers are unsure whether their current ID meets REAL ID requirements, TSA recommends contacting their state’s Department of Motor Vehicles to verify. If the ID is not REAL ID-compliant, it will not be accepted for boarding a domestic flight after the May deadline.
The REAL ID Act has been a long-anticipated change in U.S. travel policy, repeatedly delayed in previous years, but is now confirmed to take effect on May 7, 2025. The goal is to enhance security at all entry points, particularly airports, by eliminating weak points in identity verification.
For those who may not currently have plans to travel, Wurtsbaugh and other officials urge taking action anyway, as travel needs can arise unexpectedly. Being prepared now can prevent complications later.
More information, including detailed guidance and answers to frequently asked questions, is available through the TSA’s REAL ID webpage at www.tsa.gov/real-id. There, travelers can find updates on compliance, state participation, and how to obtain a REAL ID if they haven’t already.
By ensuring they have one of the approved forms of identification in hand well before reaching the airport, travelers can help guarantee their trip begins smoothly and stays on schedule. Failure to do so could mean missed flights, long waits, or even being denied boarding altogether. The TSA’s message is clear: check your ID status now and be ready for the changes coming May 7.