(NewsNation) — Planning a trip in May or later this year? You have about four months left to replace your driver’s license.
All driver’s licenses and other identification cards must be updated to a REAL ID by May 7, 2025, to pass through Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoints and to fly on federally regulated commercial planes.
Real IDs are issued by REAL ID-compliant states and have a compliant star marking. All 50 states, the District of Columbia and the five territories will issue them.
Federal agencies like TSA and the Department of Homeland Security will only accept this type of identification to access certain federal facilities and nuclear power plants, in addition to airports.
What is a REAL ID?
A Real ID is an updated driver’s license or other identification card issued by the state you live in and is marked with a gold star.
In 2005, Congress passed the REAL ID Act, which established minimum security standards for state-issued IDs. It also prohibited certain federal agencies from accepting IDs from states that didn’t meet those standards.
Why do I need to update my driver’s license?
To access certain federal facilities, you must get a REAL ID. These include nuclear power plants and federally regulated airports.
When do I need to get a REAL ID?
May 7, 2025, is the deadline. However, there were previous deadlines that were extended dating back to 2009.
DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas cited “lingering impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic” as the reason for the latest extension in a December 2022 news release.
It’s possible you already have one if you’ve renewed your driver’s license in the past few years. You can look for a gold star on your ID, which can indicate if it’s a REAL ID.
Who needs a REAL ID?
Travelers 18 years old and above need a REAL ID to travel by plane domestically, although TSA will still accept state-issued enhanced driver’s licenses and passports.
State-issued enhanced driver’s licenses are issued in Washington, Michigan, Minnesota, New York and Vermont. They do not contain the star marking that REAL IDs have, but this is acceptable, according to the DHS.
How do I get a REAL ID?
If your ID has a star in the upper right-hand corner, it is a REAL ID, and you don’t need to do anything.
You will need to present the required documentation to your state’s driver’s licensing agency, such as a Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) location. You can visit their website to make an appointment and determine which documents you need. Documentation that includes your full legal name, date of birth, social security number, residential address and lawful status are required.
Visit the agency’s website before going in person to check if there are any additional requirements.