Look, we are not your mothers. We cannot ensure that your driver’s license has been converted to a real ID.
The law requiring actual ID was only passed by Congress in a few years after September 11 and was signed into law by President George W. Bush in 2005. Maybe this doesn’t have enough time to get one. We know you’re very busy.
But, like it or not, as of May 7, 2025, all nationally issued IDs must comply with federally authorized security features for commercial air travel.
Do you want to be the only kid in the airport with an old-fashioned driver’s license and hold a safety lineup? Is that how you raised it?
Of course, we understand. Eventually you might do that. But there is a chance No Change to real ID – Combined Driver’s License – We didn’t blame you for anything, we’re just talking about it here – and then we think we’ll mention that the Transportation Safety Administration (TSA) will still accept other forms of ID cards at airport security checkpoints.
Directly from TSA’s official ID form listeven if your driver’s license is not the real ID – Compliant, TSA will accept other documents. Hopefully you have at least one of them:
• State-issued enhanced driver’s license (this Not the same thing As a real ID)
•U.S. Passport (this is How to apply for one)
• US Passport Card (this is How to apply for one;If you are flying internationally, you still need a passport book)
•DHS Trusted Traveler Card (Global Entries, Nexus, Sentri, Fast)
•Doctor of Defense ID, including ID sent to family members
•Permanent Resident Card
• Off-road card
• Acceptable photo IDs posted by federally recognized tribal countries/Indian tribes, including enhanced tribal cards (ETCs)
•HSPD-12 PIV card
• Passport issued by foreign governments
• Canadian Provincial Driver’s License or Indian and Northern Affairs Canadian Card
•Transport worker ID certificate
•U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Employment Authorization Card (I-766)
•American businessman sailor qualifications
•Senior Health ID Card (VHIC)
Current TSA Accept IDs that expire up to one year After the above identification form expires. If you forget your ID card when you go to the airport, there are some ways Verify your identity on the spotAlthough the process can take a long time, the TSA warns you to arrive at least 3 hours before the flight leaves.
Also, as long as they travel in the United States, TSA does not need children under the age of 18 to identify them.
No, we won’t accuse you of forgetting. We know that when you arrive, you will have the correct ID.
And, if you still want to know what documentation is needed to make your driver’s license a real ID, we wrote an article on how to do this. We’ll leave hereno pressure.