REAL ID enforcement begins, travelers without are still allowed to fly
BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – The REAL ID enforcement deadline is officially here.
Beginning Wednesday, TSA is looking for the star at the top of the driver's licenses of domestic flight passengers.
The initiative has been in the works for about two decades. It serves as a higher standard of identification for security reasons.
'That was a result of what was identified during 911, that there were some ways to validate identities. So what they've done is delayed this project for several years, probably six or seven times,' ECP Executive Director Parker McClellan said.
But even if you're not REAL ID-ready, you'll still be allowed to fly. Other forms of identification are accepted, or passengers may just have an extra step when going through security.
'They have procedures in place to make sure that we still have a smooth operation. But there will be potentially some additional screening if you don't have a REAL ID. Compliant I.D.,' McClellan said.
You might already have a REALID without realizing it.
Many states have been issuing REAL ID-compliant cards for years.
'More than 81% of the country is compliant, and in Florida, it's 90%. So, it's the visitors that we have concerns about,' McClellan said.
However, there were no security delays at Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport on the first day of REAL ID. There were minimal delays at airports nationwide.
While Wednesday marked the enforcement deadline, there is still time to get a real ID. Just visit the DMV in person to apply.
Here's the full list of other acceptable forms of identification or more information on how to apply for a real ID:
U.S. passport or U.S. passport card
Cards from Department of Homeland Security trusted traveler programs
U.S. Department of Defense ID, including IDs issued to military dependents
Permanent resident card
Border crossing card
Photo ID issued by a federally recognized tribal nation or Native American tribe
Federal employee or contractor ID card
Passport issued by a foreign government
Canadian provincial driver's license or ID card issued to Indigenous people in Canada
Transportation worker identification credential
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services employment authorization card
U.S. merchant mariner credential
Veteran health identification card
Florida REAL ID requirements.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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