REAL ID Shaping Up To Be A Real Nightmare As Only 56% Of Driver’s Licenses Are Compliant

The government is adamant that the 2025 deadline is final, which could create a serious problem in transportation

The United States recently commemorated the 23rd anniversary of the September 11 Attacks, but recommendations from the 9/11 Commission still haven’t been fully implemented. One of the biggest is REAL ID, which is effectively an enhanced driver’s license that verifies your identity.

While the specifics vary by state, drivers need to present additional information – such as their birth certificate or U.S. passport – when applying for a REAL ID. This will become vitally important as on May 7, 2025 you’ll need a REAL ID to board federally regulated commercial aircraft as well as enter nuclear power plants and certain federal facilities.

More: Arizona Becomes First State To Allow Digital Driver’s Licenses On Apple Devices For Air Travel

Airports will see the biggest impact and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) recently revealed troubling statistics. While enforcement is less than a year away, only around 56% of driver’s licenses or ID’s (DL/IDs) in circulation nationally in January were REAL ID-compliant. Furthermore, in 22 states, less than 40% of DL/IDs in circulation were REAL ID-compliant.

This comes despite the REAL ID Act passing in 2005 with enforcement originally slated for 2008. However, there have been constant delays and a notice of proposed rulemaking noted “… because of the history of extensions related to REAL ID enforcement, DHS [Department of Homeland Security] believes that the public may continue to expect that additional extensions are likely and not feel urgency to obtain a REAL ID.” However, the government is pretty adamant about the latest deadline and hinted at a possible “last-minute surge” in demand for REAL IDs.

This could cause a nightmare scenario for air travel and the TSA is already bracing for that possibility. While they’re not looking to extend the deadline, they want “flexibility” to enforce REAL ID in a “manner that takes into account security, operational risk and public impact.”

In particular, they’re eyeing “phased enforcement” to help minimize the potential impact to travelers. The proposal is lengthy and largely open-ended, but it calls on agencies to coordinate phased enforcement plans with the Department of Homeland Security and begin full enforcement no later than May 5, 2027.

How this plays out remains to be seen, but it’s not hard to imagine a scenario where TSA agents would remind flyers with non-compliant IDs that they need to get a REAL ID soon. The next phase might require additional searches or proof you’ve applied for REAL ID, while the final phase would accept nothing other than a REAL ID.