Real ID Questions and Answers

The REAL ID Act of 2005 establishes minimum security standards for driver’s license issuance and production. It prohibits Federal agencies from accepting driver’s licenses and identification cards from states not meeting those minimum standards for certain purposes, which include boarding federally regulated commercial aircraft for domestic and international travel. Most states are now in compliance with these standards. However, new requirements for identifying compliant licenses take effect in October 2020.

Is your license in compliance? Even if your state met the Act’s standards some time ago, the card in your wallet may not carry the necessary indicator and you may need a replacement before the compliance date, even if your license isn’t up for renewal until some later date.

To find the answer to this question (and other answers, too) check out the Department of Homeland Security’s Real ID FAQ page.