The clock’s ticking on the REAL ID deadline, and if you’re one of the millions still clutching a standard driver’s license, don’t sweat it—you’ve got options. Starting May 7, 2025, the feds will demand a REAL ID-compliant license or another approved form of identification for domestic air travel. But if you’re not there yet, you can still board that flight to Vegas or grandma’s house with a handful of alternatives. This isn’t some loophole; it’s straight from the government’s playbook.
The Transportation Security Administration, which runs the airport security show, has a list of IDs that’ll get you through the checkpoint, no star-marked REAL ID required. A U.S. passport or passport card tops the list—both are rock-solid for domestic flights. Got a Global Entry card from your frequent flyer days? That works too. Same goes for NEXUS, SENTRI, or FAST cards issued by the Department of Homeland Security for trusted travelers. Military folks can flash a U.S. Department of Defense ID, including those issued to dependents, while veterans with a VA health ID card can use that if it’s got a photo.
If you’re a permanent resident, your green card—officially the Permanent Resident Card—is good to go. Enhanced driver’s licenses, available in states like Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Vermont, and Washington, are another option. These don’t always have the REAL ID star, but they’re marked with a U.S. flag and the word “enhanced” and are fully compliant for air travel. Federal employees with HSPD-12 PIV cards, used for secure government access, can also use those. Even tribal IDs with a photo, issued by a federally recognized tribe, make the cut.
The REAL ID Act, passed back in 2005, was a post-9/11 push to tighten identification standards, but it’s been a slow roll. Deadlines got kicked down the road for years—first 2020, then 2021, then 2023, and now here we are. On April 18, the State Department warned that without a REAL ID or an alternative, travelers could face delays, extra screening, or even get turned away at security. TSA echoed that on April 30, urging people to double-check their IDs before the May 7 cutoff.
Airlines are spreading the word too. United Airlines, in a statement on April 22, reminded passengers to bring a passport or another approved ID if they don’t have a REAL ID by the deadline. The push is real—DMVs across the country are swamped as people scramble to upgrade their licenses. But for those who can’t or won’t, the alternatives are clear and plentiful.
One catch: these rules apply to domestic flights and federal facilities like courthouses or military bases. If you’re crossing borders by land or sea, enhanced IDs work for Canada and Mexico, but don’t expect them to cover international flights. And don’t try slipping through with a regular state ID after May 7—it won’t fly, literally.
The government’s been hammering this for months, and the message is simple: plan ahead. Passports, trusted traveler cards, military IDs, and the rest are your ticket to breeze through security. No REAL ID? No problem—just bring one of the others.