Flying Without A Real ID: What You Need To Know

For the past several years, you couldn’t walk into an airport without seeing signs warning that ID requirements were changing and asking fliers to “get onboard with Real ID.” The law requiring United States travelers to have a Real ID officially went into effect on May 7, 2025.

Even though we’ve known it was coming for years, that date really snuck up. But if you want to go anywhere in 2026, you might be wondering how important having a Real ID actually is — especially if you have a driver’s license or passport. Will not having one prevent you from getting on the plane?

If you plan on flying anywhere in 2026 and don’t have a Real ID, here’s what you need to know.

The enforcement of having a Real ID has been in the works for a long, long time. “The Real ID was first proposed 20 years ago, in 2005, as a response to the 9/11 Commission’s recommendations to strengthen identification security and set up more consistent standards across states,” said Tiffany Funk, the co-founder and president of point.me, a flight-booking tool that enables travelers to redeem their airline and credit card rewards for better flights.

Funk explained that Real ID enforcement was originally set for May 2008, but it was pushed back so many times that people were shocked when it did actually start being enforced last May.

What was the logic behind making people who already had a driver’s license get a Real ID?

“The Real ID has more stringent requirements for proving your identity. In theory, it’s supposed to be a more secure form of ID for flying domestically in the U.S., but whether that’s the case remains to be seen,” Funk told HuffPost.

Paul Tumpowsky, the chief revenue officer of travel agency Fora Travel, added that the idea for Real ID came about after the federal government acknowledged that not all states follow the same rules to get a driver’s license or other forms of state identification.

Kristin Diehl, a travel agent with SmartFlyer, told HuffPost that getting a Real ID requires an in-person visit to a full-service state driver’s licensing agency, and you must bring documents that prove your identity, legal presence and residency.

“In most cases, that means a passport or birth certificate, plus two proofs of address such as a utility bill, bank statement, mortgage or lease document,” she said. While the wait time to get an appointment can be long (some agencies have months-long wait times), Diehl said that the appointment itself is pretty quick, as long as you have the right documents.

If you have a flight coming up but don’t have a Real ID, you’re probably wondering what’s going to happen if all you bring to the airport is your driver’s license.

If you’re flying domestically, the good news is that you’re likely still going to make it to your final destination — it will just take you longer to get through security.

“What you can expect to happen is that TSA will pull you out of line, and you’re going to be questioned about who you are and where you’re going. It can be a lengthy process,” Tumpowksy said. He also emphasized that it’s not a guarantee that you’ll be able to get on your flight. It all depends on the TSA member questioning you and what they decide.

Funk also told HuffPost that flying domestically with just your driver’s license will lead to additional screening and questioning. “Starting in February, 2026, TSA will begin charging $45 for this,” she added. According to the TSA website, this will only be allowed for people traveling for 10 days or fewer.

Let’s say you don’t have a driver’s license or a Real ID, but you want to fly domestically. “This actually happens more than people think. I’ve had clients misplace a driver’s license while traveling or realize their wallet was stolen at the worst possible moment. If this happens, plan to arrive at the airport with extra time, because it will be a process,” Diehl said.

Diehl shared that for domestic flights, TSA may allow you to fly after an extensive identity verification process, but it is stressful, time-consuming and not guaranteed.

“Internationally, there is no flexibility. No passport means no flight, period. And if you are already abroad and lose your passport, that becomes a separate, more complicated situation involving the local embassy or consulate,” she added.

All three travel experts emphasized that Real IDs are for domestic travel. If you’re traveling internationally, you need a passport whether or not you have a Real ID.

“It’s important to know that some countries have additional requirements, like visas, and some require that you have a certain number of blank pages in your passport or that your passport is valid for a certain period of time beyond your trip. These requirements vary by country, so check the rules for the place you’re visiting,” Funk said.

If you have TSA PreCheck or Global Entry, you’re used to skipping the general security line and may be wondering if your elevated status gives you a pass on obtaining a Real ID.

If you have TSA PreCheck, Diehl told HuffPost that it doesn’t change anything in terms of what identification documents you need to travel. “TSA PreCheck changes how you go through security, not what ID you need. You still must have a Real ID-compliant license or a passport for domestic flights,” she said.

Global Entry, on the other hand, works a bit differently. “A Global Entry card is a Real ID and is valid,” Tumpowsky said. He explained that while a Global Entry card can’t be used in place of a passport for international travel, it can be used in place of a Real ID for domestic travel.

Here’s the bottom line: It’s possible to travel domestically without a Real ID, but it can make your trip through security much longer, and it’s certainly not guaranteed that you’ll be able to fly. Flying internationally requires a passport, whether or not you have a Real ID.

Yes, going to the DMV is annoying. But unless you want to start paying $45 to travel with just your driver’s license, it’s worth it to get it done.