Temporary IDs won't work, so if you have plans to fly soon, but don't have time to get a REAL-ID, don't panic, you have a few options.

Why Are We Changing to REAL-IDs?

While the official date to have your REAL-ID happened this year, this has actually been in the works since 2005.  Essentially, the REAL-ID is a way to have all government-issued IDs across all states to have the same minimum standards.

Here is what the Department of Homeland Security explains:

Passed by Congress in 2005, the REAL ID Act enacted the 9/11 Commission's recommendation that the Federal Government “set standards for the issuance of sources of identification, such as driver's licenses.” The Act established minimum security standards for state-issued driver's licenses and identification cards and prohibits certain federal agencies from accepting for official purposes licenses and identification cards from states that do not meet these standards.

Check your local BMV or DMV website to find out what is required to change your ID to a REAL ID. I can't speak for everywhere else, but in Indiana, I just had to have a couple of extra pieces of paperwork to get my regular driver's license changed to the REAL ID version.

Your Regular ID Will No Longer Work For Flying

As of May 7th, 2025, the deadline for REAL-ID is here.  If you plan on flying anytime soon, a regular driver's license will no longer work as a proper form of identification.  Now you will have to have the REAL-ID version of your license, but what if you don't have your REAL-ID yet?   You have a few other options.

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What Forms of Identification Work For Flying if You Don't Have REAL-ID?

If you haven't gotten your REAL ID yet but have a flight coming up soon, there are a few different forms of ID that will work.

Here is the list of acceptable forms of identification from the TSA:

• REAL ID-compliant driver's licenses or other state photo identity cards issued by Department of Motor Vehicles (or equivalent)
  • If you are not sure if your ID complies with REAL ID, check with your state department of motor vehicles.
  • A temporary driver’s license is not an acceptable form of identification.
• 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 (TWIC)
• U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Employment Authorization Card (I-766)
• U.S. Merchant Mariner Credential
• Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC)

For more information about travelling now that REAL-ID is the standard for identification, check TSA.gov.