On 13 January, the U.S. Transportation Security Agency (TSA) issued a final rule to finalize the time frame for the required use of REAL ID as the primary form of identification for airport security screening and to enter secure federal buildings. Under the final rule, enforcement of the use of REAL ID will begin on 7 May 2025, but agencies will have the authority to phase in enforcement through 5 May 2027. In order to determine if a phase-in approach is appropriate, agencies would consider relevant factors such as security, operational feasibility, and the impact on the public. TSA has not yet clearly indicated whether they plan to enforce the requirement on 7 May for accessing U.S. domestic flights.
In the final rule, TSA stated the phase-in option was being offered to mitigate the potential of delays in issuing REAL IDs with states being overwhelmed by individuals rushing to get the new ID by the deadline. The agency also determined that additional delays of the requirement would likely result in U.S. residents further postponing their obtaining of a REAL ID. As of January 2024, only 56% of residents over 18 had obtained a REAL ID. The REAL ID requirement was scheduled to be enforced on 1 October 2020 but was delayed multiple times due to the COVID-19 public health emergency.
A REAL ID is issued by a state motor vehicle agency as a more secure driver’s license. The United States Congress passed the REAL ID Act in 2005 in alignment with recommendations by the 9/11 Commission on setting minimum security standards for state-issued identification to access facilities and transportation secured by the federal government. When fully implemented, the REAL ID will take the place of a previous driver’s license, which will no longer be valid for accessing federal facilities or commercial flights.