Real ID deadline is less than 2 weeks away. What to do if you don't have one
After the deadline, any American traveling by air over the age of 18 will be required to have a Real ID-compliant driver's license to get through a security checkpoint.
Here is a guide to what you can do if you don't have a Real ID yet.
If you don't yet have a Real ID, or yours simply hasn't arrived yet, TSA will be accepting other forms of identification at TSA checkpoints. Here is a list of the other accepted forms of ID, according to TSA's website:
State-issued enhanced driver's license
U.S. passport
U.S. passport card
DHS trusted traveler cards (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST)
U.S. Department of Defense ID, including IDs issued to dependents
Permanent resident card
Border crossing card
An acceptable photo ID issued by a federally recognized Tribal Nation/Indian Tribe, including Enhanced Tribal Cards (ETCs)
HSPD-12 PIV card
Foreign government-issued passport
Canadian provincial driver's license or Indian and Northern Affairs Canada card
Transportation worker identification credential
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Employment Authorization Card (I-766)
U.S. Merchant Mariner Credential
Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC)
If you do not have a Real ID or another acceptable form of identification at a security checkpoint, you should 'expect to face delays, additional screening and the possibility of not being permitted into the security checkpoint,' according to the TSA.
According to the Utah Department of Public Safety, the Real ID requirements do not change your right to drive — it only applies to federal travel and building access.
You can get a Real ID through your local Department of Motor Vehicles office. To receive a Real ID, you'll need, at minimum, proof of your full legal name, date of birth, Social Security number, address and lawful status, according to the DHS.
The process may vary by state. For further instruction, visit your state's DMV website to find detailed instructions.
Real IDs are only needed for travelers 18 years or older.
The Real ID Act, passed by Congress in 2005 to improve security standards for license issuance, will take effect on May 7, according to the TSA.
Two decades after its passage, the requirement is set to reshape domestic air travel.
The law was set to take effect in 2020, but due to 'mountains of paperwork,' according to USA Today, the deadline was pushed back to May 2025. Talk of the Real ID has circulated for years, but the time to act has come.
'Identity verification is foundational to security,' said David Pekoske, the Transportation Security Administration's administrator, in a statement. 'I urge those who use a driver's license or state-issued identity card as their primary form of identification to access federal facilities or board commercial passenger aircraft, to ensure these credentials are REAL ID-compliant. We are committed to engaging with the public, licensing jurisdictions, and states to facilitate a smooth transition to REAL ID enforcement beginning May 7, 2025, which this rule supports.'
According to Utah's Department of Public Safety, over 95% of Utahns are already Real ID compliant.
To check your Utah Real ID status, look at your Utah driver's license or identification card. If it has a gold star in the upper right-hand corner, you're good to go.
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Buzz Feed
6 hours ago
- Buzz Feed
Signs Someone Is American, According To Europeans
Want to know how to spot an American abroad? Ask a European. 'As someone who works closely with American clients through destination weddings and food tours, I've picked up on quite a few telltale signs,' Portuguese tour guide and food critic Carol Batista told HuffPost. From coffee orders to outfit choices to general vibes, many different kinds of signals can indicate someone is from the U.S. While some are endearing, others might raise more than a few eyebrows. 'I try to avoid generalizations ― a Brooklyn creative won't travel the same way as someone from Texas or the Midwest,' said Stéphanie Pons, the founder of Lisbon Insiders. 'But there is a shared sense of optimism, confidence, and curiosity.' Below, find 23 signs that someone is American, according to Batista, Pons, and other Europeans: Comfort-First Fashion 'You'll often see Americans in athleisure, sneakers, baseball caps, or hoodies, even when traveling, which is often a contrast to more polished local fashion in such European destinations like Italy, for example.' ― Jane Iskra, Iceland-based elopement photographer at ISKRA Photography 'That unwavering confidence of walking into a centuries-old basilica dressed like you just left a reformer Pilates class. Think: athletic leggings, oversized hoodie, and maybe ― just maybe ― sandals with socks. Practical? Extremely. Contextual? Not quite.' ― Luli Monteleone, Lisbon-based digital marketing specialist Big Spending Habits 'At supermarkets or stores abroad, Americans often buy in bulk or stock up more than locals, who tend to shop daily.' ― Iskra 'Americans love to spend ― and often do so more generously than other nationalities. But they also like to feel they're getting great value in return. I would say that the mix of enthusiasm and practicality is very American. Coming from a country with much higher wages, they sometimes don't realize how large the gap is. For example, in Portugal, the average monthly salary is about 1,100 € (~$1,250), so what feels affordable to them can seem extravagant to locals.' ― Batista On The Hunt For Iced Coffee 'The iced coffee hunt. Even in the middle of winter ― and ideally in a 500ml cup. There's a kind of dedication there that I honestly admire.' ― Monteleone 'I would say if they have a drink with lots of ice (either water or iced coffee).' ― Steffi Crivellaro, U.K.-based blogger at Steffi Daydreamer Loud Confidence 'One of the biggest indications is usually that you can hear them before you see them. It's not necessarily that they're loud, but they command attention wherever they are, which also leans into how confidence is built in America. I have often found that Americans are very confident. Even if it does not come naturally to each individual, they seem to have been conditioned or taught to be confident, which means they tend to take up space wherever they are.' ― Ronke Lawal, PR and communications consultant in London 'Americans tend to find everything 'amazing,' and they're not shy about saying so ― out loud and often. They speak with a volume that's just slightly above local norms, even when whispering. And in a world where many cultures lean toward discretion, that kind of openness stands out.' ― Pons Stanley Cups 'Reusable Stanley-style coffee mugs are a giveaway ― they seem to go everywhere with them, even when traveling!' ― Iskra 'Carrying a Stanley or huge water bottle.' ― Crivellaro Large Engagement Rings 'The big, sparkly engagement ring tradition is very American. In some countries, engagement rings aren't as flashy or aren't even a thing sometimes.' ― Iskra Jumping Straight Into English 'It's not the accent ― it's the cheerful assumption that English will always do the job. Most locals do speak it, but trying a simple 'ciao' or 'bonjour' tends to unlock a different kind of experience. It's a small gesture, but it changes everything.' ― Monteleone Seeking Air Conditioning 'In the summer, Italians love to stay outdoors: The squares fill up, and the outdoor tables are always the most desired. Americans, on the other hand, almost always choose the indoor spaces with air conditioning. For them, climate comfort is an absolute priority.' ― Diana De Lorenzi, Rome-based lifestyle blogger 'Americans are notoriously hot all the time and expect lots of air conditioning and ice when they travel, two things that aren't so easy to come by in Italy!' ― Livia Hengel, founder of The Italy Edit Warmth and Friendliness 'I've traveled extensively in the US, and if there's one thing I've consistently noticed, it's their amazing ability to start a conversation: openly, spontaneously, as if they already knew the person in front of them. It can be quite disconcerting for us Europeans, but it's a deeply rooted part of their culture. In France in particular, this kind of attitude is sometimes seen as insincere or self-serving. But I've always defended it, I actually find it refreshing to have even a short exchange with someone who is smiling, warm, and quick to compliment your outfit or haircut. Personally, I love good energy, and I take the good where I find it.' ― Kenza Sadoun el Glaoui, Parisian digital creator 'In Ireland, people are known for their friendliness, but we don't have a patch of the Americans. They say hello to everyone, they chat to locals, they ask questions, and it's lovely to see. There's a sort of genuine, open curiosity about an American abroad that I, personally, find very endearing.' ― Tara Povey, blogger at Where Is Tara? Genuine Enthusiasm 'Americans are often very expressive ― big smiles, open curiosity, confident energy. And when they feel they've been well taken care of, they're incredibly grateful. I've had food tour guests react like it was Christmas morning just because of a market tasting or a pastry they'd never tried before, and a bride bringing me a full suitcase with gym clothes as a souvenir from LA — and it's truly heartwarming.' ― Batista 'My partner Luca Veralli is a master gelato maker, and his gelato has been awarded by Gambero Rosso. Every time an American tourist tastes it, they always ― without fail ― say the same phrase: 'Oh my God!' For us, it's a joy. They say it with genuine enthusiasm that truly makes us happy. But it's funny how this exclamation is almost always identical, as if it were a ritual.' ― De Lorenzi, Generous Tipping 'One immediate giveaway is that American travelers are generous tippers ― even though the U.S. is one of the only countries in the world where a 20%-plus tip is expected as the norm. On the other hand, with average salaries nearly double those in Italy, tipping makes sense and is a great way to show appreciation for good service, especially in places where it's not expected.' ― Hengel 'America has a very generous tipping culture, unlike any other country I've ever visited. When Americans travel outside the U.S., leaving large tips is a sure sign of where they are from. In Ireland and most of Europe, we only leave tips if the service or the food has been particularly good, and servers definitely do not expect or rely upon tips.' ― Povey Paying By Credit Card 'Americans always pay by card, even for very small amounts like a 1 euro espresso. This is another cultural difference we see every day.' ― De Lorenzi Wide Smiles and Perfect Teeth 'Americans are known for having great dental care and wide, confident smiles. Smiles and perfect teeth are often one of the first giveaways.' ― Iskra Full Of Compliments 'I've always found Americans to be sweet and genuine! I can especially tell when a woman is American because she'll go out of her way to give me a compliment, and it's usually thoughtful and specific. It happens multiple times a day whenever I'm traveling in the States, and I've never experienced that kind of spontaneous kindness anywhere else in the world.' ― Kelsey Heinrichs, blogger at Kelsey in London Wanting To Customize Everything 'There's a kind of customization instinct ― asking for dressing on the side, almond milk in the cappuccino, or a dinner reservation at 6 p.m. (which still feels like mid-afternoon in Portugal). I see it as a reflection of their strong sense of personal agency, the belief that services can and should adapt to you, not the other way around.' ― Pons, Saying "Like" All The Time Paramount / Via 'The overuse of the word 'like' — especially with people from LA. Sometimes you'll hear 'like' eight times in a single sentence! It's a casual, filler-filled way of speaking, and of course, there's the unmistakable clarity of American English.' ― Batista 'Saying things like 'awesome,' 'you guys,' or the ever-present filler word 'like' always catches my ear with a 99% probability I hear it from an American.' ― Iskra Limited Geographic Knowledge 'A general lack of geographical knowledge is a sure sign. Americans tend to refer to any country in Europe as 'Europe,' as if we are all the same. There is a huge difference between Norway and France; they're completely incomparable. Referring to us all under one sweeping term of 'Europe' or 'Europeans' is sort of ridiculous. I once met an American man who asked me where I was from. When I told him I was from Ireland, he said that he had just been visiting my neighbors. I assumed that he must mean the United Kingdom (which I could understand). However, he then declared that he had visited Italy. Needless to say, neither Italy nor Ireland would ever refer to the other as a neighbor. It would take 27 hours to drive from Dublin to Rome. That's the equivalent of Miami to Minneapolis. Florida and Minnesota are not neighbors.' ― Povey Cappuccino With Dinner Peeradon Warithkorasuth / Getty Images 'If someone asks for a cappuccino with pasta or pizza and also at dinner, you can be sure: They are an American tourist. It's a cultural habit that always makes us smile because for us Italians, cappuccino is a morning ritual, part of breakfast, but it's nice to see how every culture experiences food in its own way.' ― De Lorenzi, Different Portion Size Expectations 'I notice this a lot during food tours ― Americans are frequently surprised by how small European portions can be (while we are shocked when we see their portions). I've heard more than once 'Wait, this is for one person?' and it's always funny.' ― Batista Fast-Moving Itineraries ''I've been to Europe' often means a whirlwind through Paris, London, and Rome in under two weeks. Honestly, impressive cardio — but also, you just missed the good bakery next door. And truthfully? Europe's charm often lives in the quieter, slower corners.' ― Monteleone 'Rushing to include their ancestry in an opening conversation. Don't get me wrong, I love that Americans are so enthusiastic about their heritage, and it certainly does wonders for Ireland's tourism industry. However, they are the only country that does it. Never have I met anyone from outside the US who has launched into their grandparents' origin story when we have just been introduced. While charming, it's definitely a telltale sign that someone is from the US.' ― Povey Steves' Love Of Rick Steves Guidebooks 'In Reykjavík, I immediately pick out Americans out of the bunch because they explore the country using Rick Steves Iceland as their compass. Not Lonely Planet. Or ,odors. Or even a local source. Good 'ol American Rick Steves ― who I met in person when I was his local guide in Reykjavík and is as 'Merican as they come. I'm sure other nations use guidebooks too, but Americans carry Rick with pride. Not tucked away in their backpack, ashamed of getting caught with something as gauche as a guidebook, but loud and proud. Out in the open.' ― Auður Ösp Ólafsdóttir, Iceland-based marketing professional walked That Intangible American Vibe 'As someone who works across lifestyle and hospitality in Europe, I often find myself noticing subtle (and not-so-subtle) clues that someone is American. The most obvious is the accent, but beyond that, there's a specific energy that's easy to spot.' ― Pons 'I somehow pick Americans out of a crowd, but I can't put my finger on how. It's something about how they're built and how they're dressed ― I really can't articulate it. They're just so essentially American that their Americanness shines, even in a culture where you'd think it would be harder to pick them out. Once upon a time, I think Americans just walked around with a certain air of confidence about them. They were proudly American, and you could tell in the way they walked. Nowadays, many conversations with Americans start with apologies. Their once-proud stance has been replaced with slightly hunched shoulders. Like they're aware that tolerance for American politics is wavering around the world and they don't want to take up too much space. But it's still something about how Americans walk in the world that makes them recognizable.' ― HuffPost.
Yahoo
6 hours ago
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American Airlines will let some passengers skip the customs line at this airport
Travelers connecting from the United Kingdom through American Airlines' main hub in Dallas will now have a much smoother travel experience. American is piloting a one-stop security program that lets connecting passengers clear customs at the gate and not need to have their bags re-screened before proceeding to another flight in Dallas. "One Stop Security is one of the most forward-thinking enhancements we can bring to international travel – and importantly, to our customers – as it delivers a level of convenience and time-savings that's never been available before to customers connecting from international flights," David Seymour, American's Chief Operating Officer, said in a statement. "With this game-changing program and thanks to our federal partners at (Customs and Border Protection) and (the Transportation Security Administration), along with (Dallas Fort Worth) Airport, our customers will spend significantly less time worrying about an onerous connection process and more time enjoying their travel journey,' he said. The airline expects the program to reduce connection times for eligible passengers by more than half. For now, the program is only a pilot available to passengers departing London Heathrow and connecting to American Airlines flights at DFW, but the airline said it "plans to explore opportunities to expand OSS to additional flights and U.S. airports in the future." American Airlines announced a similar program at London's Heathrow Airport in February, where passengers departing DFW and connecting onto international (non-U.K.) flights could avoid going through security re-screening in London. (This story was updated to clarify the security process.) Zach Wichter is a travel reporter and writes the Cruising Altitude column for USA TODAY. He is based in New York and you can reach him at zwichter@ This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: What to know about American Airlines' new One Stop Security pilot Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
9 hours ago
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Tourist Says He Was Denied Entry To U.S. Over A Seemingly Innocent Photo — And It Could Happen To You
Seeing Vice President JD Vance as a bald, shiny orb can make you laugh ― but can it get you denied entry at a U.S. border? According to one tourist, yes. Norwegian tourist Mads Mikkelsen told Nordlys that he was denied entry at Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey on June 11 after authorities searched his phone and found a Vance meme on his phone camera roll, and then proceeded to question him about right-wing extremism and drug smuggling. Mikkelsen later told Nordlys that he did tell border officials he had tried marijuana in Germany and in New Mexico, but did not think this was relevant because they are both places where it is legal. Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin refuted Mikkelsen's allegations about the meme being the reason for his heightened scrutiny. 'Claims that Mads Mikkelsen was denied entry because of a JD Vance meme are FALSE,' she wrote on X. 'Mikkelsen was refused entry into the U.S. for his admitted drug use.' But regardless of Mikkelsen's story, can a political meme on your phone be the reason you get denied entry? Following President Donald Trump's executive order for 'enhanced vetting,' border agents have been using aggressive tactics on legal immigrants and tourists. We were made for this moment. HuffPost will aggressively, fairly and honestly cover the Trump administration. But we need your help. . 'It is absolutely possible that a meme, or an article, or a photograph can be used as the basis for the denial of entry,' said Petra Molnar, lawyer and author of 'The Walls Have Eyes: Surviving Migration in the Age of Artificial Intelligence.' 'Decisions at the border are highly discretionary, made all the more so by the recent push for border enforcement to scrutinize social media for so-called risky behavior,' she continued, citing the State Department's recent plans to screen people applying for visas to the U.S. for perceived 'hostility' toward America, and to ask them to make their social media accounts 'public' for review. 'In this current climate, what may appear as a silly joke can be used as the basis for detention, interrogation, and deportation,' Molnar said. Here's what you need to know when traveling feels riskier than ever. Border agents have wide discretion. U.S. citizens have more protections than tourists and visa holders. Yes, the U.S. government asserts the right to search your electronic devices when you cross U.S. borders, but if you are a U.S. citizen, you cannot be denied entry, no matter what absurd caricatures of Vance you keep on your phone. 'You're an American citizen. They cannot say, 'Oh, you're not coming into your own country.' That's against the law,' explained Sophia Cope, a senior staff attorney at Electronic Frontier Foundation. As a U.S. citizen, you can, however, face interrogations, travel delays or device confiscations for refusing to comply to device searches. 'It might be confiscated for several weeks or months,' Cope said to consider. Meanwhile, visitors and visa-holders have fewer rights than U.S. citizens when they travel to the U.S. and 'are particularly vulnerable to being denied entry, or at the very least may face an unpleasant interrogation with the possibility of having to hand over their devices indefinitely,' Molnar said. Cope said a border agent denying a tourist over a meme is 'ridiculous,' but the Norwegian visitor had no real recourse, because he's a not a U.S. citizen. 'Unfortunately, non-green card holders, non-citizens have almost no leverage to not comply with the request to grant access to their device,' she said. It helps to know what's in your power to refuse. In order to prepare for travel, know your rights about what border agents can and cannot do. Know that they are supposed to put your phone into airplane mode before they start to search it and are not supposed to be looking at cloud-based applications, although there have been reports of people saying their social media accounts were reviewed. 'Disable biometric identification like FaceID, limit automatic cloud access, set up disappearing messages and consider switching to applications like Signal,' Molnar suggested. You can also go one step further and 'consider getting a second phone or not bringing your laptop, or removing materials which could possibly solicit further scrutiny,' she noted. Know that you are not required to share your password to unlock your phone, but visa holders and visitors could be denied entry for their refusal. When asked, neither Customs and Border Protection nor the Department of Homeland Security answered HuffPost questions about Mikkelsen's claim that a border agent told him he would be imprisoned or fined for not sharing his phone passcode. When asked, DHS only redirected HuffPost to McLaughlin's public statement about Mikkelsen being denied entry over drug use. To be clear, Cope explained, there's no legal basis for Customs and Border Protection officials threatening a traveler with jail time and fines for refusing to share a passcode for a device search. 'It's basically, either you're denied entry or your phone gets confiscated,' she said. 'There's no crime there.' There are pros and cons to refusing a device search, and your personal risk is highly contingent on your immigration status. 'People have to balance the privacy invasion of a device search with, do they risk being denied entry? Or do they risk missing a flight or being detained?' Cope said. Ultimately, if you are nervous about what could happen when you travel to the U.S., you are right to feel this way. Consider that 'It seems like this administration is being very touchy about ... people who express opposition to the Trump administration in one way or another,' Cope said. 'And [this JD Vance meme] is the most benign kind of opposition.' 'People are rightly worried about the growing surveillance apparatus in the U.S., which now includes scrutiny over memes and social media content,' Molnar said. She noted that the right to privacy is not just about avoiding scrutiny over wrongdoing but about 'our fundamental right to personal autonomy and freedom from surveillance, rights which are increasingly coming under attack.' The one thing we know for sure: because of this story, Vance memes that make the vice president look childlike or absurd are going to be seen even more, and that's one action this administration does not have the power to control. Related... Does Border Patrol Have The Right To Go Through Your Phone? Here Are The Alarming Facts. The Surprising Reason These Wild JD Vance Memes Keep Spreading Why You Can (And Should) Opt Out Of TSA Facial Recognition Right Now
