Americans will soon have to get a REAL ID document for traveling via plane within the country, with just over 100 days left until the new rule comes into effect.

It was announced in 2024 that beginning May 7, 2025, Americans will need the REAL ID, a standardized identification document in the United States, to board a plane going between U.S. airports. The REAL ID was introduced in the REAL ID Act passed by Congress in 2005, enacting the 9/11 Commission’s recommendation for the standardized issuing of identification.

REAL ID will be needed for plane travel within the United States from May 7, but Americans planning to travel will need to make sure that they have taken action to update theirs before then.

TSA recently announced its final ruling on the REAL ID, allowing agencies to enforce this rule in phases with details of these enforcements published for public availability.

“Identity verification is foundational to security. I urge those who use a driver’s license or state-issued identity card as their primary form of identification to access federal facilities or board commercial passenger aircraft, to ensure these credentials are REAL ID-compliant,” said TSA Administrator David Pekoske.

As it stands, Americans can use driver’s licenses and other identification cards to travel domestically. However, from May 7, these cards will have to be updated to meet federal security standards.

Americans are being advised to update these documents as soon as they can to avoid difficulties when traveling after May 7. Upgrades may take two to three weeks to be completed.

From May 7, TSA will no longer accept driver’s licenses and other state-issued identification that don’t have the REAL ID seal.

All 50 states in the U.S., as well as the District of Columbia and five U.S. overseas territories, offer REAL ID-compliant identification.

TSA officials said that under half of Americans have these federally recognized IDs.

A spokesperson for the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) previously told Newsweek: “TSA is working to avoid checkpoint delays by encouraging all travelers to obtain a REAL ID compliant ID or another form of acceptable ID before the May 7, 2025 deadline.

“TSA published a proposed rule that maintains the deadline and provides flexibility for agencies to begin enforcement in a way that takes into account security, operational risk, and public impact. While the proposed rule would allow TSA to consider a phased approach to enforcement, TSA fully intends to begin REAL ID enforcement on May 7, 2025.”

REAL IDs are also used when people are accessing certain federal facilities, boarding federally regulated commercial aircraft, and entering nuclear power plants, the Department of Homeland Security says.

However, alternatives to a REAL ID card include a U.S. passport, a U.S. passport card, a foreign-government issued passport, and a Veteran Health Identification Card.

The best way to find out if you have a REAL ID compliant driver’s license is to check state’s driver’s licensing agency website, the DHS advises.

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