The Department of Homeland Security has an important message for you. It is time to “Meet your new ID. The one that’s ready to fly”. As a matter of fact, you’d better be your REAL ID self by May 7, 2025.
The countdown to REAL ID Enforcement has started and there are about 69 days to become effective. Although you think you will not fly after May 7, 2025, you may need to visit a Federal facility.
Are you already REAL ID ready in the United States?
For your information, it will be on May 7, 2025, when all United States travelers must be REAL ID compliant. If you are not, you will not be allowed to board any domestic flights.
What is more, you must also be REAL ID if you need to access some federal facilities after May 7, 2025. Not sure if you are already meeting the Department of Homeland Security requirements to travel or visit certain Federal facilities?
Then, you can simply use an interactive tool to find out if you need to get a new license or identification card with the necessary security standards. Visit the link below to check it now.
REAL ID tool to find out if you are ready or not
First of all, you must visit https://www.dhs.gov/real-id and scroll down. Then, select whether you are planning to fly domestically or visit a Federal facility after May 7, 2025.
After this question. select the “yes” or “no” option to tell the REAL ID tool whether your driver’s License or ID have a star or flag or says enhanced on it. If there is no star, no flag, or it does not say enhanced, you may not be ready.
You might also be asked whether you have a passport or not. Good news if you have a passport because it is an acceptable form of identification. Thus, it can be used instead of a REAL IR Driver’s License or ID to board domestic flights or visit any federal facility that requires it.