Real ID enforcement begins in less than two months
JACKSONVILLE, N.C. (WNCT) — Starting May 7, 2025, a Real ID or another acceptable form of identification will be needed to board a plane and get into most federal buildings and military bases.
Close to 50 percent of active North Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) customers already have a Real ID, according to the department.
The new identification is an enhancement of the current license by adding a star to the top right corner. Other acceptable forms of ID that can be used instead are a passport or a Department of Defense ID. TSA's full list of acceptable IDs are here.
'There are a lot of options. Getting a real ID is not required. It's a convenience thing,' Communications Director for the DMV Marty Homan said. 'It's for if you don't want to lug your passport wherever you're going, if you're just taking a flight within the country, you don't want to use your passport.'
Most REAL ID appointments are booked for the next 90 days; however, most DMV offices accept walk-ins after noon. Appointments can also still be made after May 7th.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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