REAL ID: Here's What You'll Need To Fly Starting Today
Does your driver's license have a star on it? Then it's a REAL ID. Kansas Department of Revenue
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will require travelers to present a REAL ID-compliant form of identification at airport security checkpoints.
U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem told a congressional panel Tuesday that 'people will be allowed to fly' but 'may be diverted to a different line, have an extra step,' the Associated Press reported.
Travelers without a REAL ID or alternative form of acceptable identification will be subject to additional screening and face the possibility of missing their flights, a senior TSA official had previously told Forbes.
Besides a REAL ID driver's license, there are roughly a dozen other forms of compliant identification–including passports and military IDs.
After REAL ID enforcement starts, the biggest difference will be that a standard state-issued driver's license will no longer get a traveler through airport security checkpoints. Beginning May 7, a driver's license must be a more secure version known as a REAL ID. How Do I Know If I Have A Real Id?
In general, a REAL ID looks like a standard driver's license but it has a star in the upper right corner, however, every state's REAL ID looks slightly different. In California, for example, the star is placed inside the silhouette of a bear. In Michigan and Maine, the star is inside an outline of the state. There is an online quiz on the TSA website to help travelers determine whether their driver's license is a standard ID or a REAL ID.
Only if you have a flight booked out of a U.S. airport. Travelers with no immediate travel plans can obtain a REAL ID at their leisure, but before their next flight. Where Can You Get A Real Id?
Americans can obtain a REAL ID through their state's Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). While requirements differ slightly by state, all applicants must provide documentation showing their full legal name and date of birth, two proofs of address and proof of lawful status in the U.S. In addition, applicants must bring a Social Security card or SSA-1099 form or a document that shows both their name and Social Security number, such as a pay stub or W-2 form, according to the Department of Homeland Security website. Some state DMVs are reporting backlogs of REAL ID applications. What Alternatives Will The Tsa Accept At Airport Security Checkpoints?
Besides a REAL ID driver's license, there are more than a dozen other forms of compliant identification. These include a passport; passport card; Department of Homeland Security-issued trusted traveler card (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST); U.S. Department of Defense ID (military ID, including identification issued to dependents); U.S. permanent resident card (green card); border crossing card; Tribal Nation/Indian Tribe photo ID (including Enhanced Tribal Cards); HSPD-12 PIV Card (issued to federal employees and contractors); foreign government-issued passport; Canadian provincial driver's license or Indian and Northern Affairs Canada card; transportation worker ID credential; U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Employment Authorization Card (I-766); U.S. merchant mariner credential; or a Veteran Health ID card (VHIC). What Should Passengers Expect At The Airport?
Travelers with a REAL ID should arrive at the airport two hours before departure, as normal. Those without a compliant ID should add an additional hour and expect to be steered to a separate line for additional screening. Travelers without a REAL ID should be prepared that they may miss their flight, a senior TSA official told Forbes. Is There Any Possibility Tsa Will Let You Fly Without A Real Id?
The TSA's goal is to make sure passengers with REAL IDs are not disrupted or delayed unnecessarily. Those who arrive at the TSA checkpoint without a REAL ID are taking a risk, as there is no guarantee they will get through security. Still, if you have a ticket and boarding pass but no REAL ID, TSA officers will look for alternative ways to help you prove your identity. 'We are used to dealing with people who lose their wallets and IDs,' the TSA official told Forbes, 'and we have ways to vet passengers and make sure we're satisfied the person standing in front of us is the person they say they are.'
Following the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the United States, the REAL ID Act of 2005 set higher minimum security standards for issuing state-issued driver's licenses and ID cards necessary to enter federal buildings and fly in the U.S.. While the deadline has been delayed several times since its original 2008 target date, the May 7 enforcement date is firm. 'It's been 20 years. We are doing this,' the TSA official told Forbes.
TSA Now Accepts Digital IDs From These 14 States (Forbes)
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Yahoo
This Is the Most-visited State Park in the U.S. for 2025—and It Has 19 Waterfalls in 2 Miles
Located in New York's Finger Lakes, Watkins Glen State Park leads this year's rankings by Google Maps. As travelers increasingly seek out nature-driven getaways, state parks have become popular destinations for everything from hiking and camping. While national parks often get the spotlight, state parks—also protected areas determined at the state level—offer equally stunning landscapes and easy access to local beauty. To see where Americans are heading this year, Google Maps recently analyzed its data to reveal the top 10 most visited state parks in the U.S. Google Maps based its rankings on direction requests made on the platform since Memorial Day 2025. Topping the list is Watkins Glen State Park in Schuyler County, New York. Watkins Glen State Park is the most well-known of the Finger Lakes State Parks, with 19 waterfalls packed into just two miles of gorges and streams. The park welcomes both overnight campers and day trip visitors, offering amenities like an Olympic-size pool, facilities for camping and picnicking, and opportunities for hiking and rainbow trout fishing. Similar to other New York State Parks, Watkins Glen State Park charges a fee for vehicles to use its facilities, which can vary depending on location and season. At the moment, the cost is $10 per vehicle, which includes use of the park's pool. Camping costs $18 to $30 per night, with an additional $5 nightly fee for out of state residents. New York State has two other parks in the top 10: Letchworth State Park at No. 5, often referred to as the "Grand Canyon of the East," and Jones Beach State Park at No. 10, known for its wide stretches of sand and boardwalk. The top 10 is rounded out by Liberty State Park in New Jersey at No. 2, Silver Falls State Park in Oregon at No. 3, Starved Rock State Park in Illinois at No. 4, Hammonasset Beach State Park in Connecticut at No. 6, Point Lobos State Natural Reserve in California at No. 7, Warren Dunes State Park in Michigan at No. 8, and Blue Spring State Park in Florida in ninth place. According the Google Maps data, the most calming state park is St. Andrews State Park in Florida, which has a mile-and-a-half of pristine beaches for fishing and swimming that is a popular spot to see migratory birds. The best state park for hiking is Devil's Lake State Park in Wisconsin, which has 30 miles of hiking trails through quartzite bluffs that overlook a 360-acre lake. Read the original article on Travel & Leisure Solve the daily Crossword
%3Amax_bytes(150000)%3Astrip_icc()%2FTAL-watkins-glen-state-park-new-york-TOPSTPARKS0825-d7aabc3d0652484a856f455aa8f83f47.jpg&w=3840&q=100)
Travel + Leisure
12 hours ago
- Travel + Leisure
This Is the Most-visited State Park in the U.S. for 2025—and It Has 19 Waterfalls in 2 Miles
As travelers increasingly seek out nature-driven getaways, state parks have become popular destinations for everything from hiking and camping. While national parks often get the spotlight, state parks—also protected areas determined at the state level—offer equally stunning landscapes and easy access to local beauty. To see where Americans are heading this year, Google Maps recently analyzed its data to reveal the top 10 most visited state parks in the U.S. Google Maps based its rankings on direction requests made on the platform since Memorial Day 2025. Topping the list is Watkins Glen State Park in Schuyler County, New York. Watkins Glen State Park is the most well-known of the Finger Lakes State Parks, with 19 waterfalls packed into just two miles of gorges and streams. The park welcomes both overnight campers and day trip visitors, offering amenities like an Olympic-size pool, facilities for camping and picnicking, and opportunities for hiking and rainbow trout fishing. Similar to other New York State Parks, Watkins Glen State Park charges a fee for vehicles to use its facilities, which can vary depending on location and season. At the moment, the cost is $10 per vehicle, which includes use of the park's pool. Camping costs $18 to $30 per night, with an additional $5 nightly fee for out of state residents. New York State has two other parks in the top 10: Letchworth State Park at No. 5, often referred to as the "Grand Canyon of the East," and Jones Beach State Park at No. 10, known for its wide stretches of sand and boardwalk. The top 10 is rounded out by Liberty State Park in New Jersey at No. 2, Silver Falls State Park in Oregon at No. 3, Starved Rock State Park in Illinois at No. 4, Hammonasset Beach State Park in Connecticut at No. 6, Point Lobos State Natural Reserve in California at No. 7, Warren Dunes State Park in Michigan at No. 8, and Blue Spring State Park in Florida in ninth place. According the Google Maps data, the most calming state park is St. Andrews State Park in Florida, which has a mile-and-a-half of pristine beaches for fishing and swimming that is a popular spot to see migratory birds. The best state park for hiking is Devil's Lake State Park in Wisconsin, which has 30 miles of hiking trails through quartzite bluffs that overlook a 360-acre lake.
Forbes
14 hours ago
- Forbes
Travel For Mental Wellness: Top Credit Cards To Make Your Next Vacation More Affordable
Editorial Note: We earn a commission from partner links on Forbes Advisor. Commissions do not affect our editors' opinions or evaluations. Picture yourself lounging on a crystal-clear beach, wearing sunglasses, sipping a cold margarita and soaking up the sun. For many, a getaway from home isn't just a change of scenery—it clears their minds. A recent survey from Talker Research found that about 67% of Americans feel mentally better after traveling. Whether it's a quick weekend trip or flying across the globe for an adventure, more people now use travel as a way to handle stress and recharge from their nine-to-five realities. But travel is pricey, especially with inflation driving up the cost of flights and hotels. Luckily, the right travel credit card can help offset the cost and make planning your next trip easier on your budget. The emotional benefits of travel include improved mood, sharper focus and a more positive outlook after taking time away. Many mental health experts view travel as a powerful form of self-care, especially when you're intentional about it. Whether you're discovering a new city or unwinding somewhere familiar, breaking out of your routine can ease that stuck, overwhelmed feeling. Being in a new environment naturally pulls you into the moment, which can quiet the overthinking that often fuels stress and anxiety. Earn 100,000 bonus points + $500 Chase Travel℠ promo credit after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. Credit Score ranges are based on FICO® credit scoring. This is just one scoring method and a credit card issuer may use another method when considering your application. These are provided as guidelines only and approval is not guaranteed. Of course, travel costs can be a significant barrier, even if you're planning a short trip. That's where credit cards can come to the rescue. The best travel credit cards earn you points or miles while offering perks and protections that reduce stress before, during and after your trip. Many travel credit cards offer welcome bonuses and ongoing reward points for everyday spending. For example, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® offers 100,000 bonus points, plus a $500 Chase Travel℠ promo credit after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. It also earns elevated rewards on travel and dining, including 8 points per dollar on all purchases through Chase Travel℠, including The Edit℠, 4 points per dollar on flights and hotels booked direct, 3 points per dollar on dining worldwide and 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases. If you use the Chase Sapphire Reserve® for everyday purchases, you can accumulate points over time, and potentially earn that welcome bonus just by spending as you normally would. When you redeem points for travel through Chase, Ultimate Rewards® points from your Chase Sapphire Reserve are worth 1.5 cents each. That means the welcome bonus—along with the points you earn while meeting the spending requirement—can deliver over $1,000 in value. The Chase Sapphire Reserve® offers standout perks, but it comes with a whopping $795 annual fee. If that fee is too overwhelming, there are other options, like the $95-annual fee Citi Strata Premier® Card . It offers a generous welcome bonus of 60,000 bonus ThankYou® Points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months of account opening. It also includes a $100 annual hotel credit on hotel stays of $500 or more, excluding taxes and fees when booked via and you'll earn 10 points per dollar spent on hotels, car rentals and attractions booked on 3 points per dollar on restaurants, supermarkets, gas & EV stations, air travel and other hotel purchases and 1 point per dollar on all other purchases. Earn 60,000 bonus ThankYou® Points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months of account opening, redeemable for $600 in gift cards or travel rewards at Credit Score ranges are based on FICO® credit scoring. This is just one scoring method and a credit card issuer may use another method when considering your application. These are provided as guidelines only and approval is not guaranteed. A trip does more than give you a break—it boosts your mental wellbeing and leaves you feeling recharged long after you return home. While travel isn't always cheap, it doesn't have to feel out of reach. The right travel credit cards can help you earn rewards, unlock valuable credits and perks and provide protections and insurance that make your next trip easier on your wallet and your mind.
