Travel Compliance: REAL ID – You’ll need it to fly

Passed by Congress in 2005, the REAL ID Act enacted the 9/11 Commission’s recommendation that the Federal Government “set standards for the issuance of sources of identification, such as driver’s licenses.” The Act established minimum security standards for state-issued driver’s licenses and identification cards and prohibits certain federal agencies from accepting for official purposes licenses and identification cards from states that do not meet these standards. These purposes are:

• Accessing certain federal facilities
• Boarding federally regulated commercial aircraft
• Entering nuclear power plants

Starting May 7, 2025, domestic air travelers must present a REAL ID compliant driver’s license, or other alternative acceptable form of identification, in order to board commercial aircraft. Help ensure you and your travelers are ready.