The REAL ID Act, passed by Congress in 2005, enacted the 9/11 Commission’s recommendation that the Federal Government “set standards for the issuance of sources of identification, such as driver's licenses and identification cards.” The Act and implementing regulations establish minimum security standards for license issuance and production and prohibit federal agencies from accepting for certain official purposes noncompliant driver’s licenses and identification cards.
The official purposes covered by the Act and regulation are:
- Accessing certain federal facilities;
- Boarding Federally regulated commercial aircraft; and
- Entering nuclear power plants.
Secure driver's licenses and identification documents are a vital component of our national security framework. DHS/TSA is committed to enforcing the REAL ID Act, therefore, beginning May 7, 2025, anyone 18 years and older that plans to fly domestically or visit certain Federal facilities will need a REAL ID or another acceptable form of identification.
The Act’s prohibitions do not affect other uses of driver’s licenses or identification cards unrelated to official purposes as defined in the Act.
For more information, please contact the REAL ID Program Office at REALID@tsa.dhs.gov.
