Can I fly in the US without a REAL ID in 2023?

Beginning May 3, 2023, your driver's license will need to be REAL ID-compliant if you want to use it to fly within the U.S. It's part of a law passed by Congress. If your license is not compliant, and you don't have another acceptable form of ID, you'll have trouble getting through airport security.



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You can use a current U.S. passport or a U.S. military ID at the airport to get through TSA security after May 3, 2023, just like you can right now. Just remember to bring it. Having a REAL ID-compliant driver's license is convenient for many of us because it's something we always carry with us.

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Are you REAL ID ready? On May 7, 2025, U.S. travelers must be REAL ID compliant to board domestic flights and access certain federal facilities. Find out if you're REAL ID ready with our interactive tool!

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TSA will allow you to fly with an expired license or no license at all so if the paper isn't good enough you still have options. Just give yourself a little extra time to get through security.

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Expired ID If your driver's license or state-issued ID expired on or after March 1, 2020, and you are unable to renew at your state driver's license agency, you may still use it as acceptable identification at the checkpoint. TSA will accept expired driver's licenses or state-issued ID a year after expiration.

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Beginning May 3, 2023, your driver's license will need to be REAL ID-compliant if you want to use it to fly within the U.S. It's part of a law passed by Congress. If your license is not compliant, and you don't have another acceptable form of ID, you'll have trouble getting through airport security.

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Wear clothing and shoes without metal, and be ready to remove your belt if it has a metal buckle. Tuck large metal jewelry pieces into your carry-on bag before you go through the security checkpoint. Put change and keys into your carry-on or empty your pockets into a plastic bin when you arrive at the checkpoint.

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15 airport hacks to help you survive the 2023 summer travel chaos
  • Do your homework. ...
  • Check entry requirements a few days before flying. ...
  • Print your documents. ...
  • Pack across suitcases. ...
  • Know your airline's hand baggage allowance and actually stick to it. ...
  • Pre-order liquids to be picked-up airside at the airport.


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According to a study by Expedia, 2023 is the year of “no-normal travel,” a year of travel “like no other.” In other words, travelers are up for anything. And Booking.com revealed travelers are feeling more optimistic about traveling this year.

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What is the liquid limit on flights in 2023? TSA allows each passenger to carry liquids, gels, and aerosols in travel-size containers that are 3.4 ounces (or 100 milliliters). All travel-size containers must fit inside 1 quart-size bag.

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If you don't have any acceptable alternate form of ID, a TSA employee will ask you to complete an identity verification process by filling out a TSA Form 415, also known as a Certification of Identity form. It asks for your full name, current address, signature and date.

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However, if a passenger does not possess a Real ID, there are other forms of identity that will be accepted. This list includes US passports and permanent residence cards. Undocumented immigrants may therefore be able to fly domestically as long as they hold an approved form of identification on this list.

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The officer will insert each photo ID into the CAT unit where the ID is scanned and analyzed. CAT is linked electronically to the Secure Flight database, which confirms travelers' flight details, ensuring they are ticketed for travel that day.

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