Nearly two decades after Congress passed the Real ID Act, the law is finally set to be enforced.
Starting Wednesday, the Transportation Security Administration will begin checking for Real ID-compliant identification at airport checkpoints.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem told Congress on Tuesday that the government understands not everyone has been able to obtain a Real ID. Those travelers will still be allowed to fly but will be directed to a separate line for additional screening, she said.
Recent TSA data shows that only 80% of travelers have an acceptable form of ID.
How to tell if an ID is Real ID-compliant
Travelers can check the top of a driver's license or state-issued ID card. If it has a star, the ID meets federal Real ID requirements.
Other types of IDs that TSA will accept
- State-issued Enhanced Driver's License (EDL) or Enhanced ID (EID)
- U.S. passport
- U.S. passport card
- DHS trusted traveler cards (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST)
- U.S. Department of Defense ID, including IDs issued to dependents
- Permanent resident card
- Border crossing card
- An acceptable photo ID issued by a federally recognized Tribal Nation/Indian Tribe, including Enhanced Tribal Cards (ETCs).
- HSPD-12 PIV card
- Foreign government-issued passport
- Canadian provincial driver's license or Indian and Northern Affairs Canada card
- Transportation worker identification credential
- U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Employment Authorization Card (I-766)
- U.S. Merchant Mariner Credential
- Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC)
What about children?
Children under 18 are not required to show identification when traveling domestically, according to the TSA.
