Will TSA Really Deny You If You Don't Have a REAL ID?
Read today's edition of Gate Access • April 7th, 2025
Will TSA Really Deny You If You Don't Have a REAL ID?
The short answer is yes. Starting May 7, 2025, airport security could turn you away if your ID isn’t REAL ID compliant.
Travelers who do not present a REAL ID-compliant license or acceptable alternative beginning May 7, 2025 will not be permitted through the security checkpoint.
While TSA may exercise some discretion during the first 30 days of enforcement, don’t count on leniency. Officers are expected to follow federal guidelines closely, and if you’re caught unprepared, you could very well become an example, part of the government’s push to get travelers to update their IDs.
Here’s what you need to know:
The REAL ID Act was passed in 2005, but its enforcement has been delayed multiple times. This time, the Department of Homeland Security confirmed that there will be no more extensions. Starting May 7, you’ll need a state-issued ID with a star (or an acceptable alternative like a valid passport or military ID) to board domestic flights.
However, according to the official TSA REAL ID rule, officers can use discretion in “exceptional circumstances,” and they have until May 5, 2027, to phase in full compliance. This flexibility was something TSA specifically requested to avoid chaos at checkpoints but discretion doesn’t mean guarantee.
If you lost your ID or show up with a non-compliant one, what you say and how you say it can matter. TSA officers are trained to follow protocol but may offer alternate identity verification if you cooperate and meet their criteria.
In today’s extended edition, I’m breaking down what to say (and what not to) if you get caught without the right ID, plus a list of backup documents TSA will accept.
Tips You May Have Missed Last Week
What’s in Today’s Extended Version 🫣
🗣️ Choose Your Words Wisely
What not to say at TSA if you’re missing proper ID—and what to say instead to avoid delays (or worse).🧾 Alternative Ways to Prove Who You Are
A not-so-obvious list of documents TSA will accept that aren’t listed on the official site. You can view TSA’s list here.
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