The airports and skies were very busy last year as Americans continued to return to travel after the pandemic. On the Sunday after Thanksgiving last year, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) screened more than 2.9 million passengers nationwide, which broke the agency’s all-time record for most travelers in a single day. International destinations and cruises were very popular in 2023. Bookings in the first part of this year hint that 2024 could be even busier.
Are you ready? Do you have the REAL ID? It’s an upgraded version of your driver’s license or ID card that has a star in the right corner. Federal enforcement begins in just over a year, on May 7, 2025, which means U.S. travelers must be REAL ID-compliant to board domestic flights and access certain federal facilities. If you don’t have the upgraded ID by the deadline, you should plan on bringing a valid U.S. passport or other federally recognized ID to board a domestic flight. To navigate TSA checkpoints quickly and safely in the future, it’s important to have a valid REAL ID.
How do I get a REAL ID?
Start the application online at dmvNOW.com. You will need to appear in person at a Virginia DMV office or at a mobile DMVConnect event with original documents proving identity and legal residence. There is a one-time $10 REAL ID fee in addition to the standard driver’s license fee.
Documents to bring include:
- An original or certified copy of a birth certificate or a valid U.S. passport
- W-2 tax form or Social Security number (you will not be required to present proof of your Social Security number if you know the number and DMV is able to electronically verify it)
- Two proofs of residency: recent utility bill, mortgage statement/rental agreement, current Virginia driver’s license
- Name change proofs: marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order
Questions about REAL ID
Am I required to upgrade to REAL ID? No, you can still get a standard Virginia license that will allow you to drive and vote. If you choose a standard license, it will display Federal Limits Apply when you renew.
Can I still fly domestically if I don’t have a REAL ID? Yes, but beginning May 7, 2025, you’ll need to have a second proof of identity in addition to your standard driver’s license to show at the TSA checkpoint: passport, permanent resident card, or other federally recognized ID.
Can I use my REAL ID instead of a passport for international travel? No, you will need a passport for international travel.
My children aren’t old enough to drive. Do they need to have a REAL ID to travel in the United States? According to the TSA, children under eighteen do not need to show proof of identity while traveling with a companion in the United States. The companion is required to have acceptable identification.
Why has the date for the REAL ID changed so many times? The REAL ID Act was passed by Congress in 2005 after the 9/11 Commission recommended establishing minimum security standards for state driver’s licenses. The original deadline was October 2020, but was postponed for a year at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. It was then postponed another two years to give states time to catch up on the backlog of requests after operating at limited capacity during the pandemic. It was pushed back again in 2023 to May 7, 2025 to give states more time to fulfill requests for the upgraded license.
How do I know if I already have a REAL ID? REAL ID credentials are marked with a star inside of a circle at the top corner of your driver’s license.
You do not need a REAL ID to: drive, vote or register to vote, apply for or receive federal benefits, access health or life-preserving services (including hospitals and health clinics), or participate in law enforcement proceedings or investigations.
Travelers who are interested in streamlining the airport security experience even further should consider TSA PreCheck or Global Entry. These programs allow expedited service at airport checkpoints as travelers aren’t required to remove shoes, belts, or jackets. Electronics and liquids can also stay in carry-on bags instead of having to be removed at the scanner. Richmond AAA locations host TSA PreCheck pop-up events where you can apply for the credential. Learn more at AAA.com.
