Photo: Mike De Sisti ~ USA TODAY NETWORK
DETROIT, May 6, 2025 ~ U.S. travelers aged 18 and older will need to present a REAL ID driver’s license or a passport to board domestic flights starting May 7, 2025.
The mandate, which stems from the 2005 REAL ID Act, had previously been delayed for years but will now be used to enhance national security identification standards. The REAL ID Act was passed following recommendations from the 9/11 Commission to establish a baseline set of national security standards for identification.
According to regional spokesperson for the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Jessica Mayle, 81% of passengers already have a compliant form of identification. “We don’t have plans to turn passengers away at this point,” Mayle said on “‘All Talk with Kevin Dietz.”
May 6, 2025 ~ Tomorrow is the deadline to get your REAL ID. Transportation Security Administration Regional Spokesperson Jessica Mayle joins “‘All Talk with Kevin Dietz” to talk about the deadline and the delays that might be experienced by those who don’t yet have a REAL ID.
(CONTINUED) As the deadline approaches, travelers are recommended to have a REAL ID driver’s license or a passport to avoid delays and additional screenings from airport security. Additionally, Enhanced Driver’s Licenses (EDLs), which are available in some states like Michigan, New York, and Vermont, can also be used for domestic flights and border crossings by land or sea. Those who have an EDL do not need a REAL ID.
To obtain a REAL ID, individuals must provide proof of identity, Social Security documentation, two proofs of address, and documentation of lawful U.S. status. The process requires an in-person appointment at the DMV.
Jessica Mayle emphasized that the REAL ID mandate is about making air travel safer through identity verification. The Real ID cards are marked with a star on the upper right corner.
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