RICHMOND — Virginia residents who want to board an airplane for a domestic flight will soon need a star on their driver’s license, indicating that it is REAL ID-compliant, or they will need another form of federally approved identification. REAL ID-compliant driver’s licenses and identification cards from the Commonwealth of Virginia have a small star in the upper right corner to indicate the credentials are acceptable for these federal purposes.
All travelers will need a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or other acceptable form of ID if they want to fly domestically starting May 3, 2023.
“We are very proud of the hard work our customer service team has dedicated to inform as many Virginians as possible about the benefits of REAL ID,” said Acting DMV Commissioner Linda Ford. “We’ve served millions of customers, but we estimate there may be tens of thousands out there who have waited to apply. For these customers, please visit our website, determine if you need a REAL ID, and, if you do, plan your visit over the next several months to avoid a last-minute trip in 2023.”
“Summer is the perfect time for Virginia residents to get a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or identification card because beginning next May, every air traveler 18 years of age and older will need a REAL ID-compliant credential or another acceptable form of ID to fly within the United States,” said Chuck Burke, TSA’s Federal Security Director for Central and Southern Virginia.
Residents of Virginia have the option to upgrade to a REAL ID-compliant license or stick with a standard driver’s license when they get a new license at a Virginia DMV office. But it is important to keep in mind that a standard credential—without the star—will not be valid to board a flight or to access secure federal facilities as of May 3, 2022.
To get the REAL ID-compliant license, individuals will need to appear at their local department of motor vehicles in person and bring certain documents to prove legal presence in the U.S. and state residency. Required documents include one proof of identity, one proof of legal presence, two proofs of residency in their jurisdiction, one proof of Social Security number, and a current driver’s license if they are applying to exchange one issued by another U.S. state. Proof of name change may also be required, if applicable. Visit Virginia’s DMV web site for a complete list of acceptable documents.