If you didn’t have one already, now’s the time to get one. REAL IDs are becoming necessary to be able to fly within the United States or you will have to go through further screening. Not only will REAL IDs be required to board domestic flights, but they will also be necessary to enter secure federal facilities. REAL IDs are all marked with a star on its upper-right hand corner, regardless of what state you live in.
May 7, 2025 was the date that the new requirement for air travel went into effect but is not the deadline for obtaining a REAL ID. Passengers without one will not be turned away, and will process those without ones instead. TSA will process you which will likely take more time but they will complete it as efficiently as they can. However, with summer just around the corner, it would be a good idea to get them as soon as possible so that you can avoid delays or other issues during busy travel times. In an interview with CNN the Transportation Security Administration explained that, “State-issued driver’s licenses and IDs that are not REAL ID compliant are no longer accepted as valid forms of identification at airports”. Although you will not be turned away, additional screening will likely take extra time and could potentially delay your arrival time. The U.S. law of 20 years requires state driver’s licenses to meet specific federal requirements that are used for boarding a plane or allows people to access federal facilities that need identification.
REAL IDs are equipped with enhanced features, including anti-counterfeiting technology, and according to TSA, about 19 percent of people traveling on aircraft nationwide still don’t have them yet. Travelers 18 and over must show a valid form of identification at airport checkpoints in order to be able to travel. There are other forms of identification that are accepted at TSA checkpoints including, a U.S. passport or passport card, a permanent resident card, a border crossing card, and a Veteran Health Identification card are among others. If you arrive without a valid form of identification you may be asked to complete an identity verification, and once your identity is verified, you will be able to enter the checkpoint. After that, the TSA says you may still have to go through additional screening.
To obtain a REAL ID in California you can use the DMV’s interactive REAL ID document checklist to make sure you have everything you need when you apply to get one. During this online application process you will be asked to upload documents that prove your identity, such as a valid passport or birth certificate, and residency which can be proven using a utility bill or bank statement. Uploading these necessary documents will save you time for when you visit the DMV office to finish your application so make sure to do this beforehand and bring the original documents that were submitted online to your appointment to obtain a REAL ID. The DMV stresses that you also save your confirmation code as it will be needed for your visit to their office.
Additional Sources:
https://www.cnn.com/2025/05/07/us/real-id-travel-dmv-passport-license
https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/driver-licenses-identification-cards/real-id/
