AARP Hearing Center
Summer travel season is on the horizon. According to AARP research, more travelers 50-plus plan to travel by plane this year. So, being prepared and ensuring you have the right type of identification can help you avoid hassles at the airport. Real ID is now in effect, and it’s now important to know whether you need a Real ID – and find out how to get one if you don’t already have it.
Why do I need a Real ID?
As of May 7, 2025, you need a Real ID (meaning, a Real ID-compliant driver’s license or photo ID card) or acceptable alternative identification document (such as a passport) to board domestic flights and to access certain federal buildings, military installations, and other federal facilities. Real ID was conceived in the wake of the Sept. 11 terror attacks to require security-enhanced IDs to pass through airport security checkpoints or enter certain federal facilities. (As always, you will need a passport for international travel.)
How do I get a Real ID?
The specific process varies by state, but you get a Real ID through your state’s motor vehicle department. You can do this when you are applying for or renewing your state-issued driver’s license or photo ID. If your current ID doesn’t expire for a while, you may not want to wait, especially if you don’t have any other acceptable forms of identification and plan to travel or visit a federal building in the near future.
Do I have to apply for a Real ID in person at the motor vehicle department?
This varies by state. In Pennsylvania, for example, some people – mainly those who got their first Pennsylvania driver’s license, permit, or photo ID after September 2003 – are eligible to apply for Real ID online and will not need to go to the DMV in person. Other states, like California, do require an in-person trip to the DMV to complete the Real ID process. However, you can download documents online in advance, which can help you save time at the DMV. Look up your state’s DMV website to find out the process in your state.