Does May 7, 2025 mean anything to you? If you like to travel, it probably should. That’s the date that the federal government’s long-delayed Real ID Act officially goes into effect.

But what exactly is the Real ID Act and a Real ID? And what should travelers know? Below, experts break it down.

“The Real ID Act was passed by Congress in 2005 to establish stricter security standards for state-issued identification i.e. driver’s licenses,” David Alwadish, the founder and CEO of the passport and visa concierge service ItsEasy.com, told HuffPost.

This federal law stems from the 9/11 Commission’s recommendation for stronger and more standardized ID requirements in the aftermath of the Sept. 11 attacks. Once put into practice, individuals will need a compliant form of identification for federal purposes, like traveling domestically in the U.S. and accessing federal facilities.

“The law took nearly two decades to implement because each state has different standards and processes for issuing photo IDs,” said Caroline Tanner, a news and trends writer at The Points Guy.

She noted that several states and the American Civil Liberties Union have criticized the law and called for its repeal, citing federal government overreach and administrative burdens on state governments and individual citizens. The ACLU argues that the new system effectively establishes “a single national identity card and database” and facilitates further privacy invasion and data tracking.

“The requirement faced the challenge mainly of getting much of the country to comply by the appropriate deadline, so in an effort to help, the deadlines were repeatedly extended,” said Katy Nastro, a travel expert and spokesperson for the Going travel app. “The COVID pandemic only prolonged the matter.”

“Starting May 7, 2025, standard driver’s licenses will no longer be sufficient for domestic travel,” Alwadish said.

This means that air passengers will need to present a Real ID-compliant license or identification card or another acceptable form of identification when passing through a Transportation Security Administration checkpoint.

“Although states have been issuing Real IDs for a few years, just because your state issues compliant IDs doesn’t mean you necessarily received one,” Tanner noted. “Travelers should double-check their ID is Real ID compliant by locating a star or star cutout. If you don’t have a Real ID, you can still travel with a U.S. passport or various TSA-approved forms of identification.”

The Real ID policy also only applies to Americans traveling within the U.S. and its territories (as well as those accessing certain federal facilities and nuclear power plants).

“This is specifically for domestic travel only,” Nastro added. “When traveling internationally anywhere in the world, one must always have a passport. No other form of ID would be accepted to enter into another country.”

It’s also only relevant for American travelers ages 18 and older.

“Travelers under 18 don’t need to provide identification when traveling with a companion, which will not change under the Real ID Act,” Tanner noted.

Even when traveling alone, unaccompanied minors typically go through security checkpoints with either a caregiver with a gate pass or with an airline team member and are not asked to present any identification unless it’s an international trip.

Airlines have different identification requirements for minors traveling solo, however, so research the specific policies or reach out directly ahead of the flight. For instance, some ask that minors ages 15-17 bring some form of ID, which could be a driver’s license, passport, school identification card, library card, etc. Regardless, the government’s Real ID requirement does not apply to minor travelers, just any adults they’re with.

“To date, I still feel most people are unaware of this proposed travel program,” Alwadish said. “Despite announcing this act for years, many travelers are still unaware of these upcoming requirements and very well may be confused about its implementation.”

The TSA noted that only 56% of driver’s licenses and state IDs in circulation as of January 2024 were Real ID-compliant and estimated that number would only rise to 61.2% by May 7, 2025. So we can probably expect at least some amount logistical chaos and unhappy travelers.

“Despite efforts to market the Real ID requirement, just about half of Americans have the a compliant Real ID, meaning there is still a long way to go,” Nastro said. “There are likely to be delays at TSA checkpoints once this goes into effect due to people forgetting the appropriate ID, not realizing their ID’s aren’t compliant, or being unaware the deadline has arrived.”

This policy change will be particularly challenging for Americans without compliant IDs who also don’t have passports.

“The last minute rush to obtain a Real ID driver’s license could lead to long delays at the DMV and cause unnecessary stress amongst travelers,” Alwadish said.

There are also some common misconceptions that are bound to impact travelers.

“I have heard of people thinking if they have TSA PreCheck, they can automatically bypass having to get a Real ID, which is not the case,” Nastro said. “TSA PreCheck is a standalone expedited security program that can be applied for and used in addition to a compliant form of ID when traveling.”

The same goes for travelers who use Clear or Digital ID. You still need to travel with a physical form of identification that’s compliant with Real ID standards in case you are asked to present it.

Others assume that the May 7 deadline will inevitably change based on precedent.

“The rumors around Real IDs being pushed back yet again, are still just that ― rumors,” Nastro said. “Just because it has been pushed back so many times doesn’t mean it will this time. However, on the flip side, because this has been so delayed, it wouldn’t be the most shocking travel headline.”

May 7 is less than two months away, so in the meantime, you might want to check to see if your state identification is Real ID compliant.

“If you cannot get a Real ID between now and May 7, 2025, you can still travel as long as you bring the necessary documentation to the airport, including U.S. passports and passport cards, U.S. Department of Defense IDs, the DHS Trusted Traveler Card and state-issued enhanced driver’s licenses,” Tanner noted.

Basically, you can still fly if you have a military ID, Global Entry card, NEXUS card, SENTRI card, FAST card, passport or passport card, green card, border crossing card, state-issued enhanced driver’s license or federal PIV card.

A full list of acceptable forms of ID is available on the TSA website, so you’ll want to familiarize yourself with your options if you don’t have a compliant driver’s license.

“Be proactive,” Alwadish urged. “While May 7, 2025 is just around the corner, my instinct is that the initial havoc it will cause on that date will lead to a final short term extension. Act early to avoid travel disruptions and ensure you are compliant with the upcoming requirements. If you’re getting a passport, add the passport card.”

He emphasized that the U.S. passport card is a simple wallet-sized ID that only costs $30 and can be immensely helpful for your domestic travel if you aren’t able to get a compliant driver’s license before May 7.

“It’s a more affordable alternative to the passport book, and travelers can apply for one or both,” Alwadish explained. “Getting a passport card is a smart and cost-effective alternative, especially for those who don’t want to deal with the DMV, especially to prematurely renew their driver’s license.”

Although the passport card cannot be used for international air travel, it is valid for land and sea travel to Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and some Caribbean destinations.

“For added security, I love that, unlike a DMV-issued ID, it does not have your address on it for strangers to know where you live,” Alwadish said. “For me, getting a passport card at the same time as getting the passport book is a $30 no-brainer.”