When Will REAL ID Enforcement Begin?
This week, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced that federal agencies will start enforcing REAL ID requirements on May 7, 2025. This decision comes after years of repeated delays.
The Backstory
The REAL ID Act originated from a recommendation by the 9/11 Commission. It established minimum security standards for state-issued driver’s licenses and identification cards. Congress passed the act in 2005, but its enforcement has been postponed multiple times, including during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Travel expert Troy Petenbrink explained, “There have been a series of factors that have impacted its implementation over the years.”
The new enforcement date means travelers will need a REAL ID-compliant license or another approved form of identification, such as a passport, to board domestic flights or access federal facilities starting in May 2025.
Related topic:
- Hard Rock Penang Marks 10 Years with Rock to Rock Run 2025
- Heavy Rain in Singapore Leads to Flight Cancellations, Chaos
- 6.2 Quake Hits Near Aquila, Mexico; 329 Aftershocks