States Issue Reminders: “Real ID” Deadline Is May 7

February 22, 2025 Government, Travel

If you have travel plans for May or beyond, check your ID to see if it meets federal requirements. Starting May 7, a Real ID compliant license or identification card — or another acceptable document — is needed to board a commercial aircraft in the U.S.

The guidelines also apply when visiting military bases and secure federal buildings like courthouses. May 7 is the enforcement deadline for Real ID after years of delays.

DHS estimates that 61.2% of Real IDs, relative to all driver’s license and identification in circulation, will be Real ID-compliant by May 7. Congress passed the Real ID Act in 2005 after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, seeking to beef up security surrounding IDs used at airports.

Read the full article. The deadline reminder isn’t a Trump thing, for once. Biden’s DHS issued a one-year warning on May 7 last year. State DMVs are also pushing out reminders on their social media accounts.

No more putting it off: In a few months, you won’t be able to board a plane without a Real ID. https://t.co/9e01OuTvuN

— CNET (@CNET) February 19, 2025

The May 7 deadline to obtain a REAL ID is approaching, Pennsylvania’s REAL ID Days are offered by PennDOT to obtain this new form of ID February through May. https://t.co/nlHLBdpoiT

— KDKA (@KDKA) February 21, 2025