Are You Ready to Fly? Understanding Real ID

Have you seen a star on your driver’s license or ID card? That might be a Real ID! Soon, you’ll need a Real ID to do some important things, like flying on an airplane in the U.S. The date you need it by is May 7, 2025.1 Let’s learn more about what Real ID means.

What is Real ID?

A long time ago, in 2005, the government made a rule called the Real ID Act.1 This rule was made to make IDs safer, like the ones people use to drive. The idea is to help keep everyone safe and stop bad people from using fake IDs.2

If your ID is a Real ID, it will have a star in the top corner.1 Some states might have other little pictures with the star, like a bear in California.13 This star tells people that your ID is good for the new rules. Real ID is not like a national ID card for everyone.7 It just means your state made your ID in a safe way. Some IDs might say “Federal Limits Apply” if they are not Real ID.13 These IDs won’t work for flying after May 7, 2025.

Where Will You Need a Real ID?

After May 7, 2025, you will need a Real ID or another special ID to do these things:1

  • Fly on an airplane in the U.S.1 When you go to the airport, you’ll need to show your Real ID to get on your flight.
  • Go into some special government buildings.1 Some buildings like military bases or courts will ask for a Real ID to enter.15
  • Go into places that make power from atoms.4 These places need to be very safe.

But you won’t need a Real ID for things like:3

  • Driving your car.
  • Voting.
  • Going to regular places like museums or the post office.
  • Visiting a doctor or a hospital.

It’s good to know when you need a Real ID and when you don’t.

What Other IDs Work?

Besides a Real ID, there are other ways to show who you are. Here are some other IDs that will work after May 7, 2025:7

  • A U.S. passport (the blue book you use to travel to other countries).
  • A U.S. passport card (a smaller card like your driver’s license).
  • IDs from the military.

There are more, but these are some of the most common ones. If you have a passport, you don’t need a Real ID to fly in the U.S.3

What’s Going to Change?

The big change is coming on May 7, 2025.1 After this day, if you want to fly on an airplane in the U.S. or go into some special federal buildings, you will need a Real ID or one of the other IDs that work.1 If you don’t have one, you might not be able to go in.1

So, it’s a good idea to check your ID for the star in the corner.12 If it doesn’t have a star, you might want to get a Real ID before the deadline. It’s better to be ready early!

How to Get a Real ID

To get a Real ID, you usually need to go to the place where they give out driver’s licenses in your state.2 You will need to bring some papers to show who you are, like your birth certificate or passport, your social security card, and papers that show where you live.1 It’s best to check your state’s website to see exactly what papers you need to bring.4

Conclusion

Soon, having a Real ID will be important for flying and going into some federal buildings. The date to remember is May 7, 2025.1 Check your ID for the star. If you don’t have one, ask your parents or a grown-up to help you learn how to get a Real ID so you can be ready!

Works cited

  1. REAL ID and Colorado | Department of Revenue – Motor Vehicle, accessed May 8, 2025, https://dmv.colorado.gov/real-id-and-colorado
  2. REAL ID – Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, accessed May 8, 2025, https://www.flhsmv.gov/driver-licenses-id-cards/real-id/
  3. Federal Real ID Act – Texas Department of Public Safety, accessed May 8, 2025, https://www.dps.texas.gov/section/driver-license/federal-real-id-act
  4. REAL ID – Oklahoma.gov, accessed May 8, 2025, https://oklahoma.gov/service/popular-services/real-id-checklist.html
  5. REAL ID – TN.gov, accessed May 8, 2025, https://www.tn.gov/safety/driver-services/real-id.html
  6. Missouri REAL ID Information, accessed May 8, 2025, https://dor.mo.gov/driver-license/issuance/real-id/
  7. REAL ID FAQs | Homeland Security, accessed May 8, 2025, https://www.dhs.gov/real-id/real-id-faqs
  8. Enhanced or REAL ID – Driver License – NY DMV, accessed May 8, 2025, https://dmv.ny.gov/driver-license/enhanced-or-real-id
  9. Real ID Act – Wikipedia, accessed May 8, 2025, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Real_ID_Act
  10. About REAL ID – Homeland Security, accessed May 8, 2025, https://www.dhs.gov/real-id/about-real-id
  11. Department of Homeland Security, accessed May 8, 2025, https://www.doi.gov/sites/doi.gov/files/uploads/24-Homeland-Security-REAL-ID-Briefing-Paper.pdf
  12. How to get a REAL ID and use it for travel | USAGov, accessed May 8, 2025, https://www.usa.gov/real-id
  13. What Is REAL ID? – California DMV, accessed May 8, 2025, https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/driver-licenses-identification-cards/real-id/what-is-real-id/
  14. www.dmv.ca.gov, accessed May 8, 2025, https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/driver-licenses-identification-cards/real-id/what-is-real-id/#:~:text=The%20federal%20REAL%20ID%20Act,courthouses%2C%20and%20other%20federal%20facilities.
  15. What you need to know about Real ID compliance | Article – Army.mil, accessed May 8, 2025, https://www.army.mil/article/284854/what_you_need_to_know_about_real_id_compliance