What is REAL ID and do I need it to fly in the US?
The short answer
TSA says enforcement of REAL ID began on May 7, 2025. State driver's licenses and IDs that are not REAL ID compliant are no longer accepted at airports. You can use a passport or another acceptable ID instead.
What REAL ID is
The REAL ID Act was passed by Congress in 2005. It sets minimum security standards for how states issue driver's licenses and identification cards. Federal agencies may not accept non-compliant cards for certain official purposes.
TSA says a REAL ID features a star in the upper right or left corner. If you are not sure whether your card complies, TSA says to check with your state department of motor vehicles.
What happens now
TSA says that from May 7, 2025, non-compliant state IDs are no longer accepted as valid ID at airports. It tells travelers to bring another acceptable ID, such as a passport, or to get a REAL ID through the state DMV.
- A temporary driver's license is not an acceptable form of ID.
- TSA accepts expired ID up to two years after the expiration date, for the listed types of ID.
- Children under 18 do not need to show ID for domestic flights.
If you arrive without an acceptable ID
From February 1, 2026, TSA says you can pay a $45 fee to use TSA ConfirmID. TSA will then try to verify your identity. TSA says that if your identity cannot be verified, you will not be allowed into the screening checkpoint.
Official pages change, check the source before you pay.
Sources: TSA: REAL ID, TSA: Acceptable identification. Read 5 November 2026. Rules and fees change, so check the official page before you travel.
Frequently asked questions
When did REAL ID enforcement start?
TSA says enforcement began on May 7, 2025.
Can I fly with a passport instead of a REAL ID?
Yes. A U.S. passport and a foreign government-issued passport are both on TSA's list of acceptable IDs.
Do children need REAL ID?
TSA does not require children under 18 to provide identification when traveling within the United States. Ask your airline about its own rules.
Is a temporary paper license accepted?
No. TSA says a temporary driver's license is not an acceptable form of identification.
What does it cost to fly with no acceptable ID?
TSA ConfirmID costs $45, and TSA says there is no guarantee it can verify your identity.