The Department of Homeland Security has announced the extension of the REAL ID full enforcement date to May 7, 2025. A REAL ID is the new federal requirement for state-issued driver licenses and non-driver IDs to help prevent fraudulent identification.
The delay in the enforcement date will now give states additional time to ensure their residents have driver’s licenses and identification cards that meet the security standards established by the REAL ID Act.
Federal agencies including the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will be prohibited from accepting driver’s licenses and identification cards that do not meet these federal standards, as required by the law.
“DHS continues to work closely with U.S. states, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. territories to meet REAL ID requirements,” said Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas in a press release. “This extension will give states needed time to ensure their residents can obtain a REAL ID-compliant license or identification card. DHS will also use this time to implement innovations to make the process more efficient and accessible. We will continue to ensure that the American public can travel safely.”
All 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, and four of five U.S. territories covered by the REAL ID Act and related regulations are issuing REAL ID-compliant driver’s licenses and identification cards.
Scroll below for more information on the REAL ID extension.
