THOUSANDS of travelers could be in for a rude awakening at airport security checkpoints if they show up without the right ID.
The new federal rule kicks in soon, and TSA says many travelers still aren’t ready.
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The agency estimates about 20% of passengers, roughly 500,000 people nationwide, could run into problems because they don’t have the correct identification.
“Those delays will be real. We’re going to work with the airlines and airport partners to try to minimize those delays,” TSA spokesperson Lorie Dankers told FOX local affiliate KCPQ.
TSA screens an average of 2.6 million passengers daily.
If one in five travelers show up unprepared, that’s half a million people needing extra screening or being turned away altogether.
At Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, where roughly 60,000 people fly out daily, around 12,000 could hit snags if they haven’t updated their IDs in time.
REAL ID DEADLINE
Starting May 7, travelers 18 and older will need REAL ID- compliant license or another approved document to board domestic flights.
Accepted alternatives include a US passport, active-duty military ID, Global Entry, or a Nexus card.
Dankers says the agency is bracing for confusion and congestion at checkpoints if people don’t act now.
The agency recommends travelers arrive at least three hours before domestic flights if they don’t have REAL ID or an alternative.
“Identity verification is a lynchpin in security and we will make sure that passengers are verified as being who they say they are before they can go beyond the checkpoint,” said spokesman Carter Langston, CNBC reported.
The Washington State Department of Licensing says it’s seeing a spike in people trying to upgrade to compliant IDs.
Officials suggest checking for appointments at offices farther from home or visiting during midday hours to beat long lines.
REAL ID-compliant cards have a star marking on the upper top portion of the card.
The ID cards have a gold or black star, or in California, a yellow bear.
Applying for a REAL ID
The process varies by state, but residents will need a few documents to apply for a REAL ID before the deadline.
No matter the state, the application process can be started online by scanning and uploading the necessary documents, basic information, and Social Security numbers. Once submitted and reviewed, an in-person visit to the DMV or your state’s department agency is necessary for an attendant to verify the documents.
From there, a thumbprint will be recorded in the system, and a photo will be issued for the ID before it’s mailed.
The documents needed are those that show:
- Full legal name (previous driver’s license, passport, etc)
- Date of birth (like a birth certificate, or an official copy of one)
- Social Security number (Social Security card)
- Two proofs of residence (like a utility bill or voter registration card)
- Lawful status
Source: Department of Homeland Security
If the card does not have one of these markings, it is not REAL ID-compliant and won’t be accepted as proof of identity.
NO EXCUSES
The REAL ID Act was passed in 2005 to boost security after the 9/11 attacks and set strict federal standards for state-issued driver’s licenses and ID cards.
REAL ID enforcement has been delayed multiple times, most recently due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
But TSA says May 7, 2025, is the final deadline and no more extensions are coming.
Once that deadline passes, a federal agency will not accept any state-issued driver’s license or ID card that does not adhere to REAL ID standards.
Those looking to get their new IDs can still do so past May 7, but that is when the rules start being enforced.
How to prepare for the DMV
Here are some ways to streamline your DMV experience:
- Check the DMV website for your state to see if the task can be done completely online. Many processes can now be done online, like renewing a vehicle’s registration or changing an address. Otherwise, several processes can be started online and finished at an in-person location, like renewing a driver’s license.
- Schedule an appointment. While walk-ins are available at all locations, having an appointment time can help reduce frustrating wait times.
- Check the DMV’s website to ensure you have all the necessary forms for the task.
- Get there early. Since many people prefer to try and tackle simple tasks on their lunch breaks or days off, showing up early can mean you’re only one of a few.
- Eat before you go or bring a snack. Since wait times can exceed expectations, bring some form of sustenance.
- Be positive. The process is temporary.
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