REAL ID is required to fly.
Here's what you actually need to know.
REAL ID enforcement began May 7, 2025. There are no further extensions. If your driver's license doesn't have a star in the corner, you need either a REAL ID or an acceptable alternative to board a domestic flight.
The short answer
Do I need a REAL ID to fly?
If you have a US passport or military ID, no. Those work fine. Same for Global Entry cards, passport cards, and several other federal IDs.
If your only ID is a driver's license, it must be REAL ID-compliant. A standard (non-compliant) license is no longer accepted at TSA checkpoints.
IDs accepted instead of a REAL ID
Any of these will get you through TSA without a REAL ID-compliant license:
US passport
Book or card
DHS Trusted Traveler card
Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI
US military ID
Active duty or dependent
Permanent resident card
Green card
Foreign government-issued passport
Enhanced Driver's License
Issued by select border states
Federally recognized tribal ID
How to check if your license is compliant
Look at the upper right corner of your driver's license. A REAL ID-compliant license has a star — gold or black, depending on your state. If there's no star, it's not compliant.
No star = not accepted at TSA
Some states use a slightly different design, but the star marking is the universal indicator. If you're unsure, check your state DMV website or bring an alternative ID.
How to get a REAL ID
You must visit your state DMV in person. All 50 states and DC issue REAL IDs. Bring:
Proof of identity
Birth certificate or US passport
Proof of Social Security number
SSN card, W-2, or SSA-1099
Two proofs of current address
Utility bill, bank statement, lease, mortgage statement
Exact requirements vary by state. Check your state DMV website before you go. Some states charge a fee; some include it in your normal license renewal.
What if I don't have a REAL ID at the airport?
Since February 1, 2026, TSA offers ConfirmID — a paid identity verification process at the checkpoint.
Fee
$45
Paid at Pay.gov
Wait
10–30+ min
At the checkpoint
Guaranteed?
No
Verification can fail
This is a backup, not a strategy. If verification fails, you will not be allowed through security. Get a REAL ID or bring an acceptable alternative.
State adoption is uneven
All 50 states and DC issue REAL IDs, but adoption rates vary widely. Many travelers haven't upgraded yet.
New Jersey
17%
adoption
Pennsylvania
26%
adoption
Washington
27%
adoption
30 states are below 70% adoption. If you live in a low-adoption state, check your license now — not at the airport.
Common questions
Do I need a REAL ID to fly?
Yes, as of May 7, 2025, you need a REAL ID-compliant driver's license or another acceptable form of ID to fly domestically in the United States. Acceptable alternatives include a US passport, passport card, DHS Trusted Traveler card (Global Entry, NEXUS), military ID, permanent resident card, or Enhanced Driver's License. If you have any of these, you do not need a REAL ID.
Can I fly without a REAL ID?
Yes, but only if you have an alternative acceptable ID such as a US passport, passport card, military ID, Global Entry or NEXUS card, permanent resident card, Enhanced Driver's License, foreign passport, or tribal ID. If you show up with only a non-compliant driver's license, since February 1, 2026 you can pay a $45 fee to use TSA ConfirmID for identity verification — but it takes 10–30+ minutes and is not guaranteed to work.
What happens if I don't have a REAL ID at the airport?
Since February 1, 2026, TSA offers ConfirmID — a $45 identity verification process available at the checkpoint. You pay at Pay.gov and TSA attempts to verify your identity through other means. It takes 10–30+ minutes and is not guaranteed to succeed. If verification fails, you will not be permitted through security. Do not rely on this as a plan — get a REAL ID or bring an acceptable alternative.
What can I use instead of a REAL ID?
TSA accepts these IDs instead of a REAL ID-compliant license: US passport, US passport card, DHS Trusted Traveler cards (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI), US military ID, permanent resident card (green card), foreign government-issued passport, Enhanced Driver's License (issued by border states), and federally recognized tribal ID.
Can I fly without a REAL ID?
Yes, but only if you have another acceptable ID. A US passport, passport card, military ID, Global Entry card, NEXUS card, permanent resident card, Enhanced Driver's License, or foreign passport will all get you through TSA. If your only ID is a standard driver's license without the star, you cannot fly unless you pay the $45 TSA ConfirmID fee — and that's not guaranteed to work. Get a REAL ID or bring an alternative.
What does the star on my driver's license mean?
The gold or black star in the upper right corner of your driver's license means it is REAL ID-compliant — you can use it to fly domestically and enter federal buildings. If your license does not have a star, it is a standard (non-compliant) license and will not be accepted at TSA checkpoints. Check the upper right corner of your license now. No star means you need to upgrade at your state DMV or bring an alternative ID like a passport.
How do I get a REAL ID?
Visit your state's DMV in person. You'll need to bring: a proof of identity (birth certificate or US passport), proof of Social Security number (SSN card, W-2, or SSA-1099), and two proofs of your current address (utility bill, bank statement, lease agreement, etc.). Requirements vary by state, so check your state DMV website before going. All 50 states and DC now issue REAL IDs.