HOUSTON — A lot of people are making summer travel plans but an upcoming change at all U.S. airports could lead to unexpected hassles for passengers who aren’t prepared.
We’ve been telling you about the REAL ID deadline for years but it’s finally here. Starting May 7, state-level ID cards, such as driver’s licenses, won’t be accepted for federal purposes, such as getting through airport security unless they are REAL ID-compliant.
“Everybody is responsible for presenting the proper travel documents when they come to the checkpoint,” TSA spokesperson Patricia Mancha said.
REAL IDs will be required for all domestic travel but you’ll still need a passport for international trips.
Regular unexpired driver’s licenses are still valid for non-federal purposes.
How do I know if I have a real ID?
If you’ve received a new driver’s license or state identification card within the past few years, chances are you already have a REAL ID. In Texas, they have a gold star in the upper right corner. Most other states have gold or black stars but California has a bear.
How can I get a REAL ID?
To get a REAL ID in Texas, you’ll need:
- An original or certified copy of a birth certificate or an unexpired U.S. passport
- Social Security card
- Current Texas vehicle registration or title
- Current car insurance policy or statement
- If your name changed, legal documents showing proof of name change from your birth name
Check here to see if you are eligible to get a REAL ID online.
Will my passport work instead of a Real ID card?
Yes, your unexpired U.S. passport will work if you don’t have a REAL ID card yet.
For a full list of federally compliant documents, you can read the DHS’s Real ID page here.
You’ll still need your passport to travel internationally, including trips to Canada or Mexico and international cruises.
What is REAL ID?
The federally mandated switch was originally signed into law by Congress in 2005, establishing “minimum security standards for license issuance and production,” according to the DHS website.
The law, established four years after the 9/11 terrorist attacks in response to federal calls for higher security standards in the U.S., has been looming for nearly two decades.
The latest twist came in September 2024 when the Transportation Security Administration proposed a two-year transition period starting in May 2025. It suggested agencies would begin “enforcement in phases” for anybody trying to use their ID for federal purposes, including for getting through airport security.
No details about the phased-in enforcement have been released so you’re better off getting the REAL ID now, rather than risking potential delays.
“There’s going to be a phased approach of enforcement, but people may experience travel delays,” Mancha said.
Originally, the law mandated the switch to REAL IDs by 2008, but that date has been pushed back year after year because of the logistical hurdles that naturally come with changing how hundreds of millions of people fly every year, as well as the disruption from the COVID-19 pandemic.
With the deadline fast approaching, officials aren’t confident they’ll get a significant number of new REAL IDs issued in time, even with the expected rush before May 7.
RELATED: Here’s what to know ahead of the May 7 deadline for REAL ID