Real ID delay until 2027 Proposed by TSA
Real ID was on track to come into effect on May 7, 2025, but it now looks like this won’t happen until 2027. The latest delay comes in the form of one TSA proposal that would give you more time to get your paperwork up to date and get your new ID ready to use.
The Real ID Act of 2005 means that U.S. residents 18 and older will eventually be required to present a Real ID-enhanced driver’s license or a passport or other federally approved identification document in order to fly, even from state to state. Under the new proposal, travelers will be encouraged to have their real ID by 2025, but will not be turned away from the gate until May 5, 2027.
In short, the Department of Homeland Security expects that many people will apply for a Real ID at the last minute, which will lead to delays. And an influx of people without real ID showing up at airports and trying to fly could cause delays and security issues at airports.
When May 7, 2025 arrives, agencies will begin issuing warnings to airmen who do not have Real ID-compatible IDs. This is to encourage people to update their documents and be prepared for next time. The progressive enforcement would end in 2027, making it a hard rule that an airman must have a Real ID-compliant ID.
Read more: What is Real ID?
Plans for the gradual rollout are still in progress. The TSA could use a three-strike rule, warning travelers multiple times to obtain their real ID before turning them away.
The latest in a long line of delays
The Real ID Act was first passed by Congress in 2005, with an initial start date of 2008. However, US states have continually requested delays as adoption rates have been low. The COVID-19 pandemic caused further delays and the date was eventually set for 2023 before being postponed again to 2025.
The TSA says that as of January 2024, only 56% of IDs issued are Real ID compatible. Part of the reason for a gradual rollout instead of another complete delay is to encourage people to purchase their Real IDs before the new start date. in 2027. The concern is that another complete slowdown without any enforcement would lead to persistently low adoption rates that could cause problems around holidays and other peak travel times.
