SACRAMENTO, California - Officials with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) today reminded the public that starting May 7, 2025, every air traveler 18 years of age and older must have a REAL ID-compliant state-issued driver’s license, state-issued identification card or another acceptable form of ID to board a commercial aircraft.
To determine if a California driver’s license or identification card is REAL ID-compliant, look for a bear + star in the top right corner. The presence of this image will indicate that the credential is REAL ID-compliant.
Travelers who do not have a REAL ID-compliant state-issued credential or another acceptable form of ID can expect delays when they arrive at the TSA security checkpoint. The length of the delay will be determined by the number of other travelers who do not have a REAL ID-compliant credential, or another form of identification accepted by TSA for identity verification.
“TSA is strongly recommending that everyone age 18 and older take an inventory of what forms of photo identification you have that are accepted by TSA. Doing so will ensure that you are prepared for the enforcement of REAL ID requirements starting May 7, 2025,” said TSA Federal Security Director Sid Hanna. “With three months to go before the deadline, now is the time to make a plan for what you will use to verify your identity with TSA when traveling.”
Passengers can avoid delays in their air travel by ensuring their identification credential is REAL-ID compliant or be prepared to present another acceptable form of ID.
"If you do not have a REAL ID, you can use a federally approved document like a valid passport or permanent resident card to get through airport security,” said California DMV Director Steve Gordon. “We recommend that you wait to upgrade to a REAL ID when your driver’s license or ID card is up for renewal.”
TSA has a full list of acceptable forms of identification beyond a state-issued driver license or identification card that can be presented at the security checkpoint for identity verification. Some examples of alternate forms of acceptable identification are a U.S. passport, U.S. passport card; Department of Homeland Security Trusted Traveler card including a Global Entry or SENTRI card; active duty and retired military ID including IDs issued to dependents; and the Transportation Worker Identification Credential.
Congress passed The REAL ID Act in 2005, enacting a recommendation from the 9/11 Commission that established minimum security standards for state-issued driver licenses and identification cards. The Act further prohibited federal agencies, including the TSA, from accepting state-issued driver licenses or identification cards that do not meet the minimum standards.
REAL ID is intended to improve the reliability and accuracy of driver licenses and identification cards while inhibiting the ability of terrorists and others to evade detection by using fraudulent identification.
The California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) began issuing REAL ID-complaint licenses and identification cards in January 2018. Eligibility requirements include providing proof of identity, proof of California residency and a trip to the DMV. Applicants will be asked to provide their Social Security number of the REAL ID application. More information on applying for a REAL ID in California is available at www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/driver-licenses-identification-cards/real-id/
Signs are currently posted at airports nationwide reminding the public that REAL ID-compliant licenses or other acceptable forms of identification will be mandatory for commercial air travel beginning on May 7, 2025. More information and Frequently Asked Questions on REAL ID can be found at www.tsa.gov/real-id.