Real ID was on track to go into effect on May 7, 2025, but it's looking like full enforcement won't happen until 2027. The Real ID Act of 2005 means that US residents over 18 eventually will have to present a Real ID-enhanced driver's license or a passport or other federally approved identification document to fly, even from state to state.
The delay comes in the form of a new proposal from the TSA that would give travelers more time to get their paperwork up-to-date and ready to go. Under the new proposal, travelers will be encouraged to have their Real IDs by the 2025 date but won't be turned away from the gates until May 5, 2027.
In short, the Department of Homeland Security is anticipating that a lot of people will be applying for Real IDs at the last possible minute, resulting in a delay. And an influx of people without Real IDs showing up at airports and attempting to fly could cause delays and security issues at airports.
When May 7, 2025, rolls around, agencies will start issuing warnings to fliers who don't have Real ID-compliant IDs. This is to encourage people to update their documents and be prepared for next time. The progressive enforcement would end in 2027, making it a hard rule that a flier must have a Real ID-compliant ID.
Read more: What Is Real ID?
Plans for the gradual rollout are still in progress. The TSA could use a three-strike rule, warning travelers multiple times to acquire their Real IDs before turning them away.
The latest in a long string of delays
The Real ID Act was first passed by Congress in 2005 with an initial start date of 2008. However, US states have continually asked for delays, as adoption rates have been low. The COVID-19 pandemic caused more delays, and eventually the date was set for 2023 before it was delayed again to 2025.
The TSA says that only 56% of issued IDs are Real ID-compliant as of January 2024. Part of the reason for going with a gradual rollout instead of another full delay is to nudge people to acquire their Real IDs ahead of the new start date in 2027. The worry is that another full delay without any enforcement would cause continued low adoption rates that could cause problems around holidays and other high-travel times.