REAL ID is now required for air travel in America. Here’s what to expect at airports across the US

CNN The time has come Starting Wednesday passengers nationwide must use a state-issued ID or license that is REAL ID compliant to trip within the US Aside from being used to board domestic flights the identity cards are also federally complaint and are used to enter secure federal facilities REAL IDs are marked with a star in the upper right-hand corner no matter what state you live in State-issued driver s licenses and IDs that are not REAL ID compliant are no longer accepted as valid forms of identification at airports the Transportation Measure Administration explained However if passengers show up Wednesday without a REAL ID they will still be able to fly but may face additional screening bureaucrats explained this week And there are other forms of identification travelers can show ahead of flying Here s what to expect if you re flying after Wednesday s deadline Can I fly after Wednesday if I don t have a REAL ID Wednesday is not the deadline for obtaining a REAL ID it s just the date the new requirement for air journey goes into effect People can still get a REAL ID after May Additionally passengers without one will not be turned away at airports Steve Lorincz TSA s deputy executive assistant administrator for safety operations notified CNN We will process you and you will not be turned away Lorincz announced It might take particular additional time but we re going to do it efficiently We are fully staffed at all locations across the country Wednesday s deadline to enforce the REAL ID act which enacted the Commission s recommendation that the federal authorities enhance measure standards for identification was pushed back several times The -year-old law requires state drivers licenses to meet certain federal requirements to be used for boarding a plane or accessing federal facilities requiring identification but about percent of people flying nationwide do not have them yet the TSA says The deadline left a large number of confused travelers scrambling to comply ahead of holidays and the summer months The enforcement is now happening amid delays and cancellations at Newark Airport Be prepared The TSA on Tuesday reminded travelers that enforcement of REAL ID starts Wednesday Those without one may be subject to additional screening and that includes TSA Pre-Check passengers Plan ahead arrive early and arrive prepared the agency noted in a post on X Travelers can find if they are REAL ID ready by using the TSA s interactive tool We ll have staff in front of all our checkpoints to help and direct our customers as they transit through the safety process Lorincz declared Specific airports will also have separate lines for people who do not have Real IDs or other documentation The agency will work with states airlines and airports toward an eventual time where enough people are showing up at airports with the correct ID a TSA spokesperson reported CNN The bottom line is if you don t have an acceptable form of ID such as a passport or a REAL ID give yourself plenty of time when you arrive to ensure you can get through everything from the curb to the gate the spokesperson explained We re definitely implementing REAL ID but nobody s going to be turned away Wednesday What is still accepted at TSA checkpoints Adults and over must show valid identification at airport checkpoints to voyage Other forms of identification that will still be accepted at TSA checkpoints include a US passport or passport card a permanent resident card a perimeter bridging card and a Veteran Soundness Identification Card among others Those who do not have a valid form of identification may be solicited to complete an identity verification Once a traveler s identity is verified they will be allowed to enter the checkpoint where they may be subject to additional screening the TSA says What states are doing Required documentation and the cost of the ID varies from state to state and each has its own system for issuing them The TSA links to each state s department of motor vehicles to explain what residents may need to get one DMVs are working really really hard to make sure that we re getting people in so they can get their REAL IDs as we continue to move forward Lorincz explained In preparation for the transition California s Department of Motor Vehicles is offering extended hours and Saturday appointments to residents looking to get a REAL ID The New York State Department of Motor Vehicles indicates on its website that authorities are seeing an increased volume in offices due to the REAL ID implementation It s time to get your REAL ID No really the Organization Oklahoma website reads It reminds residents who are traveling soon to apply for a REAL ID at least four weeks early because the TSA won t accept a temporary paper ID and that IDs are mailed within one to two weeks after a visit