REAL ID Will be Required Come May ‘25 to Board an Airplane

If you don’t have that star or flag on your New York Driver’s license, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) says there is still time to get your REAL ID-compliant driver’s license with the star on it.

Beginning on May 7th, 2025, in order to be allowed to travel on a domestic flight in the United States you will be required to provide a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license. If you do not have a REAL ID, you will have to provide another form of identification such as a passport. 

“REAL ID is a coordinated effort by the federal government to improve the reliability and accuracy of driver licenses and identification cards,” says Bart R. Johnson TSA’s Federal Security Director for airports in Upstate New York. “The improvements are intended to inhibit terrorists’ ability to evade detection by using fraudulent identification.”

Residents in New York have the option right now to upgrade to a REAL ID or an enhanced ID at their local DMV Office or online HERE. REAL ID’s are a federally compliant DMV-issued driver license, learner permit, or non-driver ID. 

“Time is running out to get a REAL ID or Enhanced ID and you do not want to get stuck at airport security if you are not prepared,” said DMV Commissioner Mark J.F. Schroeder. “Take the time now to get this taken care of so you are not scrambling at the last minute.”

According to the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, there is no additional fee for a REAL ID. Normal transaction fees do still apply. 

Back in 2005, Congress passed the Federal REAL ID Act which establishes minimum security standards for state-issued driver licenses, permits and ID cards.