The Real ID act was passed in 2005 and was suppose to go into effect in 2008. We all know of the deadline extensions made to the effective date over the years. Looks like there will be no extension this time around. If you don't have a Real ID then a Passport or Military ID should be acceptable substitutes, otherwise expect to be delayed while playing 20 questions with TSA. I'm not in favor of this "Security Act" but there seems to be no desire to turn back the clock. Fortunately I'll only be leaving the country through seaports and not flying over the next few months so don't expect any impact.
The Real ID Deadline Is Fast Approaching—Here’s What Will Happen if You Don’t Have One by May 7
We reached out to the Transportation Security Administration to find out what will happen if travelers arrive at the airport without a Real ID on or after May 7, 2025. Here’s what the agency said.