The March 2025 deadline for the enforcement of REAL ID requirements will not be met, marking another delay in a series that began with the original 2008 deadline. A new proposed rule suggests full enforcement might not begin until May 2027. In the interim, passengers with non-compliant IDs will receive notifications urging them to obtain updated identification.
The necessity of government-issued IDs at airport security stems from federal 'no fly' and 'enhanced screening' lists, which determine travel conditions for passengers. These measures are intended to ensure that individuals on these lists cannot bypass security by using false identities.
The requirement for an ID to fly was initiated following the explosion of TWA Flight 800 when President Clinton demanded immediate airline security measures. To comply with REAL ID standards, a license must include a person's full legal name, signature, date of birth, gender, unique identifying number, home address, and a front-facing photo. States must verify several documents before issuing a REAL ID-compliant license.