Why You Can Trust CNET
Our expert, award-winning staff selects the products we cover and rigorously researches and tests our top picks. If you buy through our links, we may get a commission. Reviews ethics statement
Travelers who don’t have the required government-issued ID will soon be required to pay a fee and undergo a biometric examination.
Jason Chun Associate Writer
Jason Chun is a CNET writer covering a range of topics in tech, home, wellness, finance and streaming services. He is passionate about language and technology, and has been an avid writer/reader of science fiction for most of his life. He holds a BA from UC Santa Barbara and an MFA from The New School.
Macy is a writer on the AI Team. She covers how AI is changing daily life and how to make the most of it. This includes writing about consumer AI products and their real-world impact, from breakthrough tools reshaping daily life to the intimate ways people interact with AI technology day-to-day. Macy is a North Carolina native who graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill with a BA in English and a second BA in Journalism. You can reach her at [email protected].
Expertise Macy covers consumer AI products and their real-world impact Credentials
- Macy has been working for CNET for coming on 2 years. Prior to CNET, Macy received a North Carolina College Media Association award in sports writing.
Arielle Burton Associate Content Manager
Arielle Burton is an associate content manager on CNET’s Performance Optimization team. She graduated from Hofstra University in New York. Prior to joining CNET, she worked with legacy news (ABC7NY and Fox Business Network) and tech companies (Mashable). She specializes in crafting compelling alerts, building community engagement on news platforms, and optimizing CNET’s content for all audiences. Ultimately, Arielle is a digital media professional by day and a fierce chef by night.
Expertise News Platform Aggregation | Alerts | Home Page Curation | Content Optimization
The Real ID requirement for flying domestically in the US took effect May 7, but enforcement of the rule hasn’t yet inconvenienced most travelers. That’s about to change. On Dec. 1, the Transportation Security Administration announced that, beginning Feb. 1, travelers who show up without a Real ID or a valid passport will face a new identity-verification fee of $45. This option replaces an earlier proposed $18 fee and still requires a separate biometric scan to validate a traveler’s identity.
Obtaining a Real ID is straightforward in most states, especially if you’re renewing a driver’s license. However, if it’s been a while since you’ve visited the DMV or you’re unsure of your current status, it’s worth double-checking. Use the interactive map below to find your state’s requirements and ensure you’re ready to fly without extra fees or delays.
For more, learn how to use Google Flight Data to find the cheapest flights.
What is a Real ID and how do I know if I have one?
Real IDs or valid passports are required at airport security as of May 7, 2025.
US Department of Homeland SecurityReal ID is an enhanced version of a typical state driver’s license or identification card. The new standards were outlined in the Real ID Act of 2005, as a means of helping authorities thwart terrorism and identity fraud.
Don’t miss any of our unbiased tech content and lab-based reviews. Add CNET as a preferred Google source.
All 50 states and the District of Columbia now comply with Real ID standards, according to the Department of Homeland Security. If you recently renewed your driver’s license or identification card, it’s likely already compliant. If you haven’t updated it in a few years, you’ll likely need to do so.
Real ID-approved licenses will have one of these stars in the upper-right corner.
US Department of Homeland SecurityYou can tell by looking at your license: If there is a gold, black or white star in the upper-right corner, you have a Real ID. (There are some minor variations — California places a white star over the state’s bear logo, while Maine puts it in an outline of the state.)
What happens if I still don’t have a Real ID?
As of May 7, 2025, the Transportation Security Administration and other federal agencies will accept only Real ID-approved licenses and identification cards “for purposes of accessing federal facilities,” according to DHS.
If you’re a US adult without a Real ID, you’ll need to present a valid passport at airport security checkpoints, even when flying domestically. You can also show one of these other forms of ID instead:
- US Department of Defense ID
- Permanent resident card
- Border Crossing Card
- Federally recognized, tribal-issued photo ID
- Enhanced Driver’s License, issued by Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Vermont and Washington state
For now, you can still board domestic flights with a driver’s license or identification card that isn’t Real ID-compliant.
This driver’s license has a Real ID logo in the upper-right corner.
Ohio Department of Public SafetyNot having a Real ID-compliant license won’t affect other uses of a driver’s license, including verifying an individual’s ability to operate a vehicle or purchase alcohol, firearms or tobacco.
How do I apply for a Real ID card in my state?
You can obtain a Real ID from the same state agency that issues your driver’s license. The process typically requires paperwork, including proof of identity and status as a US resident or citizen, proof of your Social Security number, and multiple proofs of your current address.
You’ll need to provide originals or hard copies of documentation, such as a birth certificate, Social Security card or US passport — photocopies and screenshots are not accepted. Check your state’s driver’s licensing agency website for more specifics.
After you apply, you’ll receive a temporary paper ID. You should receive your Real ID-approved license in the mail about three or four weeks later.
With some exceptions, the cost of getting a Real ID-compliant license is the same as renewing your license or non-driving identification card.
