If you plan to fly anywhere in the U.S. now, something could throw a wrench in your plans.
The federal government finally enforced its REAL ID law. That means your old driver’s license might no longer get you past TSA or into federal buildings.
REAL ID isn’t a new idea. It started after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, when the government decided states needed tighter ID standards. Congress passed the law in 2005, but enforcement kept getting delayed. Now, the Department of Homeland Security says the time is up.
To keep it simple, your ID is not REAL ID compliant if it doesn’t have a star on the upper right-hand side. Depending on your state, that little star—gold or black means your ID meets federal standards.
Reports show that 21% of Black adults lack a valid driver’s license, compared to 8% of white adults.
In Texas, you’ll need to visit a Department of Public Safety office to get a REAL ID, unless you can renew online. You’ll also need to show:
- Proof of your full legal name
- Date of birth
- Social Security number
- Two documents showing your address
- Proof of lawful status in the U.S.
What happens if you don’t have it?
You can still fly after May 7 but only if you have another accepted form of ID. According to the Transportation Security Administration, examples of acceptable forms of REAL ID:
- State-issued Enhanced Driver’s License (EDL) or Enhanced ID (EID)
- U.S. passport
- U.S. passport card
- DHS trusted traveler cards (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST)
- U.S. Department of Defense ID, including IDs issued to dependents
- Permanent resident card
- Border crossing card
- An acceptable photo ID issued by a federally recognized Tribal Nation/Indian Tribe, including Enhanced Tribal Cards (ETCs)
- HSPD-12 PIV card
- Foreign government-issued passport
- Canadian provincial driver’s license or Indian and Northern Affairs Canada card
- Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC)
- U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Employment Authorization Card (I-766)
- U.S. Merchant Mariner Credential
- Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC)
If you show up without the correct ID, the TSA might perform a special identity check. You won’t be allowed to board if they can’t confirm your identity.
Getting a REAL ID sounds simple, unless you don’t have all the required paperwork. And that’s where many people, especially Black seniors, low-income residents and immigrants, are running into problems.
Some elders, particularly those born in the Jim Crow South, weren’t issued birth certificates and were denied access to certain hospitals. Others may have legal names that don’t match what’s on old documents. Add limited access to technology, transportation,or the internet and you have a real barrier.
News reports shared the story of Janette Gantt Palmer, who was born in a South Carolina home during the Jim Crow era and couldn’t get a REAL ID because she couldn’t prove that she was born in the United States. The retired postal worker lived in Miami for 55 years and previously had several driver’s licenses. She needed a passport or a birth certificate to prove her identity, and she’s never had any.
What you can do
- Check your ID. If there’s no star, it’s time to schedule an appointment to replace your card.
- Apply early. If you don’t have a passport, now’s the time to gather your documents and head to a DPS office.
- Help others. Step in if you have older family members or neighbors who might not know about the change or can’t navigate the process alone.
- Know your rights. You can still travel with a passport or other federal ID and TSA must give you a chance to verify your identity if you forget your ID.
For more information, visit the Texas Department of Public Safety.