Heading to the airport without the proper ID is about to become a much more serious issue. Starting today, new federal rules surrounding Real ID go into effect, meaning millions of Americans may find themselves turned away at TSA checkpoints if their driver’s license or state ID doesn’t meet the national security standard.
The Transportation Security Administration confirmed that it will now enforce Real ID regulations and will no longer accept state-issued IDs that fall short of those requirements. “TSA will implement REAL ID effectively and efficiently, continuing to ensure the safety and security of passengers while also working to minimize operational disruptions at airports,” said Adam Stahl, a senior TSA official currently performing the role of administrator, in a recent statement.
That said, individuals in the country without legal status who have chosen to depart the U.S. voluntarily and are booked on international flights will still be allowed to board, the TSA clarified.
Not all state-issued IDs are the same. Enhanced licenses—available in Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Vermont, and Washington—allow for land and sea border crossings into the U.S. and are also acceptable for domestic air travel. The TSA affirmed that these enhanced IDs meet the necessary criteria at airport checkpoints.
The shift is expected to create complications. TSA statistics indicate that around 81% of passengers present valid identification at checkpoints. But an analysis from CBS News in April revealed a troubling gap: at least 17 states had Real ID compliance rates under 50%, and 30 states were under 70%, suggesting that many travelers may face delays or detours at airports.
Those who lack a Real ID-compliant driver’s license or state-issued card still have other options. The TSA has listed several documents that will continue to be accepted as valid identification for air travel, including:

• A U.S. passport or passport card
• Trusted traveler cards like Global Entry
• U.S. Department of Defense IDs, including those for military family members
• Permanent resident cards
• Border crossing cards
• Photo IDs issued by federally recognized tribal nations
• Federal employee or contractor IDs
• Foreign passports
• Canadian provincial IDs issued to Indigenous persons
• Transportation worker identification credentials
• USCIS employment authorization documents
• U.S. merchant mariner credentials
• Veteran health identification cards

However, the agency noted that this list could be updated at any time. Temporary driver’s licenses are not considered valid.
During a congressional hearing on Tuesday, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem explained what travelers can expect when they show their ID at airport security. “If it’s not compliant, they may be diverted to a different line, have an extra step, but people will be allowed to fly,” she told a House Appropriations subcommittee. “We will make sure that it is as seamless as possible and that travelers will get to stay on their intended itinerary, but we are telling people that this law will be enforced.”
For passengers without any valid ID, the TSA may try to confirm their identity using personal information like name and address. If successfully verified, those individuals may go through additional screening. But travelers whose identities cannot be confirmed will be denied access to the security area.
A source familiar with TSA procedures recently told CBS News correspondent Kris Van Cleave that the process mirrors what occurs when someone’s ID is lost or stolen while on vacation. The source advised travelers who know they’ll need identity verification to arrive at the airport at least three hours before a domestic flight—an hour earlier than the usual recommendation—to avoid complications.
The plan is to divert travelers with noncompliant identification into a separate screening area as quickly as possible to prevent long delays at standard security lines, the source said.
To identify whether your ID is Real ID-compliant, look for a star symbol in the top right corner of the card, the Department of Homeland Security says.
As for minors, children under the age of 18 are not required to carry identification for domestic flights. The TSA still recommends that travelers check with their airline, as individual carriers may have their own ID policies for children.

{Matzav.com}