Before people start to plan their 2025 vacations, they need to make sure their driver’s license or state ID complies with a federal law set to take effect in May 2025. The REAL ID law, which has faced multiple delays over two decades, will take effect for passengers boarding domestic flights.
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Congress passed the REAL ID Act in 2005. It was designed to improve national security in response to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. However, implementation has been delayed several times, most recently due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Under the new law, all states must verify the identity of anyone 18 years and older before issuing a driver’s license or ID. This includes confirming their Social Security number, legal name, date of birth and proof of address.
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The REAL ID is an enhanced version of a standard state-issued driver’s license or ID card. A gold, white or black star on the card indicates that it meets the federal security standards outlined in the REAL ID Act.
While obtaining a REAL ID is optional, travelers who choose not to get one will receive a standard driver’s license or ID, which will be marked with “Federal Limits Apply.” This means the ID cannot be used for certain federal activities, such as boarding an airplane or visiting a military base.
For frequent flyers, having a REAL ID is important. Starting May 7, 2025, the Transportation Security Administration will require passengers to have one at security checkpoints for domestic flights.
According to the Department of Homeland Security, travelers without a REAL ID will need to present a passport or military ID to fly within the U.S.
A REAL ID is not required for activities like driving or voting. A standard driver’s license or ID will still be valid for those purposes.
[Karah Rucker]
BEFORE YOU PLAN OUT A 2025 VACATION, MAKE SURE YOUR DRIVERS LICENSE OR STATE ID IS COMPLIANT WITH AN UPCOMING LAW.
A REAL I-D WILL BECOME YOUR STAMP OF APPROVAL TO BOARD DOMESTIC FLIGHTS
THE ‘REAL I-D’ LAW FINALLY TAKES EFFECT IN MAY OF NEXT YEAR AFTER TWO DECADES OF DELAYS.
CONGRESS PASSED THE REAL ID ACT IN 2005 TO BOOST NATIONWIDE SECURITY FOLLOWING THE 9/11 TERROR ATTACKS.
BUT YEAR AFTER YEAR THE GOVERNMENT RAN INTO HURDLES TO ENFORCE THE MANDATE.
THE MOST RECENT SETBACK COMING AS A RESULT OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC.
THE NEW LAW REQUIRES EVERY STATE TO VERIFY THE IDENTITY OF ANYONE 18 YEARS AND OLDER THROUGH THEIR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER, LEGAL NAME, DATE OF BIRTH AND PROOF OF ADDRESS *BEFORE ISSUING AN I-D OR DRIVERS LICENSE.
ESSENTIALLY THE NEW CARDS ARE ENHANCED VERSIONS OF THE TYPICAL STATE ISSUED DRIVERS LICENSE OR I-D.
A GOLD, WHITE OR BLACK STAR SIGNIFIES AN INDIVIDUAL MEETS THE FEDERAL SECURITY CREDENTIAL SET BY THE REAL I-D ACT.
REAL I-DS ARE CONSIDERED OPTIONAL, YOU CAN STILL RECEIVE A STANDARD LICENSE OR I-D.
INSTEAD OF A STAR IT WILL NOTE “FEDERAL LIMITS APPLY” MEANING THERE’S RESTRICTIONS FOR SPECIFIC ACTIVITIES.
THIS MATTERS MOST FOR FREQUENT FLYERS. REAL I-D IS WHAT THE TSA WILL NOW USE AT SECURITY CHECKPOINTS AS A SCREENING TOOL BEFORE YOU BOARD A FLIGHT.
THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY SAYS WITHOUT A REAL I-D, TRAVELERS WILL NEED A PASSPORT OR MILITARY I-D TO FLY WITHIN THE U-S.
A REAL I-D IS NOT REQUIRED TO DRIVE A CAR OR TO VOTE. YOU CAN STILL USE A STANDARD DRIVERS LICENSE OR I-D.
FOR STRAIGHT ARROW NEWS, I’M KARAH RUCKER.
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