Need to Fly Soon? Options While You Wait for Your REAL ID

The deadline for REAL ID enforcement has arrived – May 7, 2025. This means to board domestic flights and access certain federal facilities, you now need a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or another acceptable form of federal identification. But what if you haven’t gotten your REAL ID yet and have upcoming travel plans? Don’t worry, several valid alternatives will get you through airport security.

It’s important to understand that while you work on obtaining your REAL ID driver’s license, various other forms of identification are accepted by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). Relying on one of these alternatives ensures your travel plans remain unaffected.

Key Alternatives to a REAL ID Driver’s License

Here are some of the most common and widely accepted alternatives:

• U.S. Passport Book: This is perhaps the most well-known and versatile form of federal identification. A valid U.S. passport book is accepted for all domestic and international air travel. If you already possess a passport book, you’re all set for domestic flights, even without a REAL ID.
• U.S. Passport Card: As highlighted previously, the passport card is a wallet-sized alternative to the passport book. It proves U.S. citizenship and identity and is valid for domestic air travel. It’s also useful for land and sea travel to certain neighboring countries. If you need a quicker and potentially less expensive option than a passport book for domestic travel, the passport card is a viable choice while you await your REAL ID.
• State-Issued Enhanced Driver’s Licenses (EDL): Some states offer Enhanced Driver’s Licenses, which are already REAL ID-compliant and can also be used for land border crossings into Canada and Mexico. Check with your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles to see if they offer EDLs. If you have one of these, no further action is needed.
• U.S. Military ID: Active duty and retired U.S. military personnel and their dependents often possess a valid U.S. military ID card. This is a federally recognized form of identification and is accepted for domestic air travel.
• Permanent Resident Card (Green Card): If you are a lawful permanent resident of the U.S., your Permanent Resident Card (Form I-551) is an acceptable form of identification for domestic air travel.
• DHS Trusted Traveler Cards: Members of DHS trusted traveler programs like Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, and FAST can use their program cards for airport security checkpoints.
• Tribal Identification Card: Federally recognized tribal identification cards are also accepted for boarding domestic flights.
• Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC): The VHIC issued by the Department of Veterans Affairs is a valid form of identification for domestic air travel.

Planning Ahead is Key

While these alternatives offer a solution in the interim, it’s still recommended that you take steps to obtain a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license as soon as it’s convenient for you. This will simplify future travel and access to federal facilities.

In the meantime, if you have an upcoming flight and don’t yet have a REAL ID, ensure you have one of the acceptable alternative forms of identification readily available. This will help ensure a smooth and stress-free experience at the airport security checkpoint.