If you plan to fly without an updated driver's license, be prepared to pay: Starting Feb. 1, showing up to security without a Real ID or a passport will trigger a mandatory $45 "identity verification fee." It's basically a procrastination tax. Instead of just waving you through with a lecture, the Transportation Security Administration now requires a separate biometric scan and a hit to your bank account just to get you to your gate.
Most people assume they're already covered, but if you haven't been to the DMV in a few years, you might be in for a rude awakening at the terminal. While the process for upgrading is usually just a standard renewal with some extra paperwork, it's not something you want to be figuring out while standing in the security line. The TSA originally floated a much cheaper $18 fee, but it's clearly decided that a $45 penalty is the only way to get travelers to take the deadline seriously.
Stop gambling with your travel budget and check your wallet now. If your license doesn't have that little gold star in the corner, you're officially on notice. We've mapped out exactly what every state requires for the upgrade, so you can get it handled before your next trip. It's a lot cheaper to spend an hour at the DMV than it is to pay a surcharge every time you want to board a plane.
For more, learn how to use Google Flight Data to find the cheapest flights.
What is a Real ID, and how do I know if I have one?
Real IDs or valid passports are required at airport security as of May 7 last year.
Real ID is an enhanced version of a typical state driver's license or identification card. The new standards were outlined in the Real ID Act of 2005, as a means of helping authorities thwart terrorism and identity fraud.
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All 50 states and the District of Columbia now comply with Real ID standards, according to the Department of Homeland Security. If you recently renewed your driver's license or identification card, it's likely already compliant. If you haven't updated it in a few years, you'll likely need to do so.
Real ID-approved licenses will have one of these stars in the upper-right corner.
You can tell by looking at your license: If there's a gold, black or white star in the upper-right corner, you have a Real ID. (There are some minor variations -- California places a white star over the state's bear logo, while Maine puts it in an outline of the state.)
What happens if I still don't have a Real ID?
As of May 7 last year, the TSA and other federal agencies accept only Real ID-approved licenses and identification cards "for purposes of accessing federal facilities," according to DHS.
If you're a US adult without a Real ID, you'll need to present a valid passport at airport security checkpoints, even when flying domestically. You can also show one of these other forms of ID instead:
- US Department of Defense ID
- Permanent resident card
- Border Crossing Card
- Federally recognized, tribal-issued photo ID
- Enhanced Driver's License, issued by Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Vermont and Washington state
For now, you can still board domestic flights with a driver's license or identification card that isn't Real ID-compliant.
This driver's license has a Real ID star logo in the upper-right corner.
Not having a Real ID-compliant license won't affect other uses of your driver's license, including verifying your ability to operate a vehicle or purchase alcohol, firearms or tobacco.
How do I apply for a Real ID card in my state?
You can obtain a Real ID from the same state agency that issues your driver's license. The process typically requires paperwork, including proof of identity and status as a US resident or citizen, proof of your Social Security number, and multiple proofs of your current address.
You'll need to provide originals or hard copies of documentation, such as a birth certificate, Social Security card or US passport -- photocopies and screenshots are not accepted. Check your state's driver's licensing agency website for more specifics.
After you apply, you'll receive a temporary paper ID. You should receive your Real ID-approved license in the mail about three or four weeks later.
With some exceptions, the cost of getting a Real ID-compliant license is the same as renewing your license or non-driving identification card.