With the deadline for getting a Real ID coming soon, Americans in every state are encouraged to take these steps now. The Real ID Act, first introduced in 2005, is a direct legislative reaction to the September 11th attacks. Its purpose is to increase the safety of air transportation. Beginning on May 7, 2025, travelers will be unable to board domestic flights without a Real ID-compliant form of identification.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has postponed the rollout of the Real ID requirement three times already. The original compliance deadline for this requirement was established way back in 2008. If you ask experts, they’ll tell you that this latest deadline is the one that’s truly dead. “Anyone who’s planning to fly in the U.S. in the next few months should do everything they can to get a Real ID-compliant card by May 7 — or travel with their passport, even domestically,” advises Nick Ewen, a travel expert.
To assist you during this transition, the DHS has made the following resources available. Their website features a comprehensive map with links to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) for every U.S. state and territory, offering essential information about the process and costs involved. Yet, many DMVs are already swamped and need to open more windows to accommodate an influx of Real ID request appointments, causing inconvenient wait times for applicants.
In Pennsylvania, for instance, acquiring a Real ID requires a one-time payment of $30. The state’s department of motor vehicles website has specific information about this expense and what it requires to obtain a Real ID. People should visit their own state DMV websites for more information, including how to apply, special requirements, and extra fees.
The argument for Real ID compliance comes from a nationwide attempt to increase air travel safety. The bill mandates stricter identification requirements for people traveling domestically by air. This transportation move would go a long way towards stopping emerging threats and increasing security measures at our airports.
As you might’ve guessed, experts are sounding the alarm! Now with only a month until the deadline, they urge people who haven’t received their Real ID to do so as soon as possible. States like New Jersey have introduced online appointment systems to simplify the process, but even this has not resolved the issue as supply is still scarce. “For example, the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission has an online appointment wizard — and for those not yet eligible for renewal in the next three months, there are exactly zero appointments,” Ewen noted.