After 20 years and multiple delays, the federal government is finally forcing Americans to get special IDs just to fly within their own country — and almost 1 in 5 travelers aren’t ready.
At a Glance
- TSA will begin enforcing the REAL ID Act on May 7, 2025, requiring enhanced identification for domestic air travel
- 19% of travelers still don’t have compliant IDs and face additional screening, delays, or being denied boarding
- The REAL ID requirement was created in 2005 but implementation has been repeatedly delayed for two decades
- Acceptable alternatives include passports and other federal identification
Another Government Mandate Finally Arrives
Just when you thought you could escape more federal regulations, here comes another one that’s been lurking for nearly two decades. The REAL ID Act, passed back in 2005 during the Bush administration, is finally getting enforced starting May 7, 2025. That’s right, folks — after kicking this can down the road through multiple administrations with extension after extension, the government will now require a special, enhanced driver’s license or ID card just to board a domestic flight in the land of the free.
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) estimates that 81% of Americans have already gotten their fancy new star-emblazoned IDs, leaving a whopping 19% of travelers who will face additional screening, potential delays, or even being denied access to their flights. Keep in mind this isn’t about international travel — this is just to fly from one American city to another. Remember when you could travel freely within your own country without the federal government tracking your every move?
What Happens If You Don’t Have a REAL ID?
If you’re among the millions of Americans who haven’t obtained a REAL ID by the deadline, prepare for a bureaucratic nightmare at the airport. According to the TSA, “Passengers who present a state-issued identification that is not REAL ID compliant and who do not have another acceptable alternative (e.g., passport) can expect to face delays, additional screening, and the possibility of not being permitted into the security checkpoint.” In other words, show up with your regular driver’s license after May 7, and you might be watching your plane take off without you.
“The Real ID requirement bolsters safety by making fraudulent IDs harder to forge, thwarting criminals and terrorists. TSA will implement REAL ID effectively and efficiently, continuing to ensure the safety and security of passengers while also working to minimize operational disruptions at airports.” – Adam Stahl.
Of course they’re saying this now, but let’s be honest — since when has any government agency implemented anything “effectively and efficiently”? We’ve had twenty years to prepare for this, and still nearly one in five Americans aren’t ready. That’s tens of millions of people who could potentially face issues at airports nationwide. And somehow we’re supposed to believe this won’t cause massive delays and confusion? Give me a break.
The Never-Ending Security Theater
The 2005 REAL ID Act was one of many knee-jerk responses to 9/11, but unlike taking off your shoes at security checkpoints, this one took 20 years to implement. The Trump administration is now finally enforcing the mandate under Secretary Kristi Noem. While having secure identification is certainly important, one has to wonder if forcing Americans to get special IDs just to travel domestically is really making us safer, or just adding another layer of security theater and government control over basic freedoms.
“If you do the math, the reasonable response would be to arrive early.” – Lorie Dankers.
You know what would be even more reasonable? Not implementing a system that requires Americans to jump through additional hoops just to exercise their right to travel within their own country. But here we are, with TSA telling travelers to arrive at the airport even earlier than the already ridiculous two-hour recommendation for domestic flights. Travel expert Gary Leff points out that “if there are additional identity verifications to go through, even calling over another TSA staff member to handle that takes time,” which is bureaucrat-speak for “prepare for chaos.”
How to Prepare for the REAL ID Deadline
If you haven’t gotten your REAL ID yet, you should probably make a DMV appointment immediately. REAL ID-compliant licenses typically have a star in the upper right corner. Alternatively, you can use a U.S. passport, passport card, or military ID to board domestic flights after May 7. The TSA also accepts other forms of federal identification, like Global Entry cards or Permanent Resident Cards, so at least they’re giving us options beyond their new mandate.
“Secretary Noem and the Trump administration are enforcing the 2005 REAL ID Act and regulations on May 7, as directed by Congress and the American people” – Adam Stahl.
What’s particularly irritating about this whole situation is how it exemplifies government inefficiency at its finest. We’ve had twenty years to implement this program, and they’re still expecting chaos when it finally takes effect. Twenty years! In that time, we’ve developed smartphones, social media, and electric vehicles that can drive themselves, but somehow the federal government couldn’t figure out how to smoothly implement an ID program without multiple delays and widespread confusion. And now we’re all paying the price for their incompetence with longer wait times and more paperwork just to travel freely within our borders.
