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.

For travel in 2026, the identification requirements for flying within the U.S. have become much stricter due to the full implementation of the REAL ID Act. As of May 7, 2025, every air traveler 18 years of age and older must present a REAL ID-compliant driver's license (marked with a star), a state-issued enhanced driver's license, or another TSA-accepted form of identification (such as a U.S. passport, permanent resident card, or military ID) to pass through security. If your license is not REAL ID-compliant, you will not be allowed through the checkpoint unless you have a valid alternative like a passport. Children under 18 are still not required to provide identification when traveling with a companion within the U.S. [Image showing the star marking on a REAL ID-compliant license] It is essential to check your license for the star marking before heading to the airport to avoid being denied boarding.