Air travel is increasing in the USA. For domestic travel within the US, you can use your driver’s license. However, they are now requiring a real ID.

What is Real ID

Is a state-issued license or ID card that meets higher security standards.

The Real ID Act of 2005 established this. It sets minimum security standards for state-issued driver’s licenses and IDs.  This is to make it more standardized for identification sources across the USA.

How do you know

So, how do you know if your ID is real? If you take your license or state-issued ID and look in the upper right-hand corner, you will see a star.

Depends on the state. Like California, might have it n the bear. But it is a star on your license.

Goes into effect

You must have a Real ID before May 7, 2025, when it will go into effect. If you plan to fly anywhere in the USA, you must have that star on your license.

You can get it at your local Department of Motor Vehicles. You don’t need to get a driver’s license. You can get an ID card as well.

Age

Anyone over 18 will require a real ID. However, if you are under 18, the TSA doesn’t require you to provide ID. It is always good to contact the airline for questions about ID for people under 18.

Other forms of ID

You can use

• U.S. Passport or Card
• DNS trusted travel cards
  • Global Entry
  • Nexus
  • Sentri
  • Fast
• U.S. Department of Defense ID
• Permanent resident card
• Border crossing card
• Federally recognized tribal Nation/Indian tribes
• HSPD-2 PIV card
• Foreign government-issued passport
• Canadian Provincial drivers license
• Indian and Northern Affairs Canada card
• Transportation worker identification credential
• U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Employment Authorization Card
• U.S. Merchant Mariner Credential
• Veteran Health Identification Card

The best way to do this is to present a Real ID. Alternatively, you can use a passport card if you are a U.S. Citizen.

Lose my ID

Yes, you can still travel if you lose your ID or your wallet is stolen. You have to fill out a form. So you might have to do this beforehand or go to the airport early.

They will collect information like

• Your name
• Current address
• And other information to confirm your ID.

If you decline to show ID or verify anything, you will not be able to pass the TSA checkpoint.

Other places

If you have a Real ID you can also enter in

• Board Domestic flights
• Access certain federal facilities
• Enter a nuclear power plant

Thoughts

Just get the real ID, it will make your life much easier. It does remind me of some time in our history. But this time it isn’t to show a certain part of society.

It is just another step to simplify the process. This will help all states reach the same level for adults traveling in the USA.