24-04-2025
TSA to enforce REAL ID/Idaho Star Card requirement starting May 7
Starting May 7, Transportation Security Administration officers will no longer accept state-issued IDs that are not REAL ID compliant. (Courtesy of Idaho Transportation Department.)
Idaho Transportation Department officials are urging Idahoans to obtain a REAL ID-compliant Idaho Star Card before enforcement begins at airport security checkpoints May 7.
Starting May 7, Transportation Security Administration officers will no longer accept state-issued IDs that are not REAL ID compliant, Idaho Transportation Department officials said in a press release.
The Idaho Division of Motor Vehicles offers the Idaho Star Card, which is compliant with the new REAL ID regulations, transportation officials said.
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If passengers don't have a Idaho Star Card, they can use another form of federally-accepted identification at airport security checkpoints, including a U.S. passport, Global Entry card, U.S. Department of Defense ID, military ID or an acceptable photo identification card issued by a federally recognized Native American tribe.
'If you arrive at an airport without a Star Card or another acceptable document, you may be delayed and undergo additional examination,' Idaho Transportation Department officials said in a press release. 'This can cause passengers to miss flights.'
To obtain the Idaho Star Card, Idahoans need to provide their Social Security card and two documents proving Idaho residency, such as current utility bills or a mortgage statement. (A list of the documents required to obtain an Idaho Star Card is available online.)
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Even though the Real ID/Idaho Star Card enforcement begins May 7, time is already tight. Idahoans who need a Star Card are required to visit an Idaho driver's license office in person and present a series of documents to obtain the Idaho Star Card. Many Idaho driver's license offices operate by appointment only, and availability may be several weeks out.
Additionally, it may take up to two weeks for the physical Star Card to be mailed to Idahoans.
Due to the tight timeline, state transportation officials are offering a couple of tips.
First, they said Idahoans can visit any county driver's license office in the state to obtain an Idaho Star Card. If the local office in their county is not accepting appointments in time, transportation officials encourage Idahoans to check with another county driver's license office for faster service.
Second, Idaho Division of Motor Vehicles officials are encouraging other Idahoans who don't need an Idaho Star Card or who already have an Idaho Star Card to free up space at physical county driver's license offices by using online Idaho DMV services. Idahoans can free up space at county DMV offices by going online to handle other tasks, like renewing their vehicle registration, changing their address or renewing an existing driver's license.
'Online renewals help reduce in-office wait times at locations that allow walk-ins, making it easier and more efficient for those who need a REAL ID (Star Card) to complete their transactions,' Idaho Transportation Department officials said in a press release issued Tuesday.
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)
Source: Idaho Transportation Department
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