Your Drivers License Isn’t a Real ID?

Newly issued driver’s licenses may display a message labeled “Not for Real ID purposes”. So what gives?

The Federal Homeland Security standard has caused a lot of confusion for domestic travelers. The initiative to have these forms of ID be the new standard was initially slated for October 2021 but has been pushed back several times.

The Real ID program is a more secure federal document that will be accepted at airports and federal buildings. The mandate was issued after 9/11 to bring more security to air travel.

Now, Starting in May 2023, any airline passenger 18 or older will need to present a Real ID-compliant license, or other accepted forms of ID, to travel. Traditional driver’s licenses will no longer be accepted.