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After a 20-year delay, the REAL ID Act will officially take effect across the U.S. on May 7, 2025, requiring all travelers to present REAL ID-compliant driver’s licenses or ID cards when boarding domestic flights.
The REAL ID Act, originally passed in 2005 to enhance security and prevent identity theft and terrorism, sets stricter standards for state-issued IDs. Children under 18 are exempt from the new rules, but adults will need a REAL ID or an alternative such as a passport for air travel.
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Thomas Charlson, communications consultant for the Washington State Department of Licensing, emphasized that standard driver’s licenses will no longer be accepted for domestic flight boarding after the deadline.
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