REAL ID and Flying: How to Check Your License Before You Travel
If you plan to fly within the United States, there is one card worth checking before you book: your driver’s license. Since May 7, 2025, airport security has required a REAL ID-compliant license or another accepted ID for adults flying domestically.
Here is how to check yours in a few seconds, what else the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) accepts, and a few tips for a calm trip to the airport.
How to Tell If Your License Is REAL ID
Look at the top of your card. TSA says REAL ID-compliant cards are marked with a star there. A few states issue “enhanced” licenses instead, marked with a flag and no star. These are accepted too. Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Vermont and Washington are listed by TSA as issuing them.
A paper interim license is not accepted at the checkpoint. If you aren’t sure about your card, ask your state’s driver’s license office.
Other IDs That Work
You don’t have to have a REAL ID license to fly. TSA also accepts, among other IDs:
- A valid U.S. passport
- A U.S. military ID
- A federally recognized tribal photo ID
- A state enhanced driver’s license
TSA keeps the full list of accepted IDs on its website, so check it before you go. Children under 18 flying with an adult don’t need ID, but the adult does.
If You Have No Acceptable ID
TSA has announced a paid option called TSA ConfirmID for some travelers without a REAL ID, which began February 1, 2026, with a $45 fee. It is simplest to avoid needing it. Details and any changes are on TSA’s ConfirmID page. Only use the official tsa.gov website, and be wary of any other site that offers to “process” your ID for a fee.
Getting a REAL ID
- Check your state motor vehicle agency’s website for the documents it requires. These usually include proof of identity, Social Security number and address.
- Gather the papers ahead of time and bring the originals.
- Ask whether you need an appointment. Many offices book up.
- Ask the office whether you can renew online or by mail. Many states require a first REAL ID to be applied for in person.
Rules differ by state, so rely on your own state’s website and not on third-party sites that charge extra.
Tips for a Calmer Airport Day
- Put your ID in an easy-to-reach pocket, not at the bottom of a bag.
- Allow extra time. Arriving early is easier on everyone.
- If walking long distances is hard, ask your airline about wheelchair assistance when you book.
- Keep medications in your carry-on, in their original containers.
Safety note: moving walkways and escalators can be hard to step off. Hold the handrail and take your time.
More on Seniors Tips
- Airport Security With Medications and Medical Devices: A Calm Guide
- Getting Help at the Airport: Wheelchair Assistance and Your Rights
