What you need to know about the REAL ID requirements for air travel
General News,Air Travel,Real ID,TSA,National Security
After years of delays, people boarding flights domestically in the United States will need to present REAL ID-compliant forms of identification at airports in a major change for travelers across the country.
As of Wednesday, certain standard driverβs licenses and other identification cards will no longer meet federal standards for people seeking to fly within the United States and for access to some federal facilities, according to the Department of Homeland Security.
Residents have scrambled to motor vehicle offices nationwide to upgrade their IDs to meet the deadline, and state officials have warned about overcrowding and long lines.
Related Coverage
AllSides Picks
Headline Roundup
Europe Sees Second Consecutive Weekend of Widespread Protests and Violence
October 25th, 2026
Headline Roundup
Former FBI Officials Charged With Lying to Congress About Hunter Biden Laptop Investigation
October 24th, 2026
Bias
Media Bias Alert: Are OB-GYNs Fleeing Idaho Because of Abortion Bans?
Emily Allen
October 23rd, 2026
Opinion
Are Fake Polls Good for Democracy? Not By Themselves
Evan Wagner
October 23rd, 2026