The deadline for domestic air travelers to acquire their REAL IDs is swiftly approaching, with only 68 days left until the May 7, 2025 cutoff. This past Monday, officials from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, and AAA convened at Philadelphia International Airport to discuss what travelers need to know to avoid complications when flying this summer.
According to the Department of Homeland Security, the REAL ID is not just any form of identification. It’s actually a government-mandated identification standard established to bolster security against identity fraud and terrorism. From May 7 onward, any traveler over the age of 18 who attempts to board domestic flights without either a REAL ID or valid passport will be turned away.
“One of the questions we get is, hey, is it really happening? It’s been delayed in the past,” said Thomas Carter, TSA federal security director for Newark Airport. He emphasized, “This is the closest we have been. We’re 68 days away. The best thing you can do is prepare.” But as the deadline approaches, securing your REAL ID may not be as easy as it once was, especially as appointments at state Motor Vehicle Commission centers are becoming scarce.
For travelers, converting their standard driver’s license to REAL ID requires making appointments at designated Motor Vehicle Commission locations, many of which are booked solid. “Currently,” Carter noted, highlighting the challenge, “there were no available appointments at any of the MVC’s 28 licensing centers” as of last Friday.
The urgency is underscored by statistics; as of late February, over 6.6 million standard licenses and IDs have been issued compared to just 1.243 million compliant REAL IDs across New Jersey. The TSA estimates only about 70% of ID holders will manage to acquire their REAL ID documents by the May 7 deadline.
Travelers should be well-informed about what happens if they present non-REAL ID compliant identification. Those without the necessary ID will have to fill out extensive forms and wait for verification from federal security agents before they can board their flights. This could involve answering detailed questions to prove their identity, which can be costly time-wise—potentially adding 10 to 30 minutes to their airport processing time.
“You don’t want to be the person who is left waiting,” Carter remarked, echoing concerns from airport officials about the backlog this could cause. The TSA screens approximately 85,000 travelers daily at Newark Liberty International Airport alone. Even at 95% compliance, over 4,100 travelers each day may still find themselves embroiled in the verification process. “My biggest concern is we start to see congestion volumes at the checkpoint and the impact on customers who showed up prepared with REAL IDs,” said Aidan O’Donnell, Port Authority New Jersey airports general manager.
The potential for congestion is real, especially with the Port Authority reporting record-breaking passenger volumes. “We moved 3.5% more passengers than January 2024,” O’Donnell noted, equaling out to about 180,000 more travelers last month, indicating busy days ahead for airport staff and passengers alike.
The TSA and the Port Authority are making significant efforts to raise awareness about the impending REAL ID requirement. They have been actively reminding travelers of their need for compliant IDs through verbal cues from TSA officers, as well as distributing informational pamphlets featuring QR codes. Political and community engagement is integral as they work to avert chaos come May 7.
New Jersey officials are not alone. Across the U.S., TSA has initiated plans to adopt phased enforcement around the REAL ID provisions, potentially giving thousands more travelers time to adjust before the laws take full effect. While the specifics of this will come later, it aims to ease the burden of those struggling to acquire their REAL ID on time.
Overall, the clock is ticking down to May 7th, and travelers must act swiftly to secure their REAL IDs if they wish to avoid delays and possible disruptions at airport checkpoints. The TSA is dedicated to ensuring efficient travel processes, but preparation is key, and vigilance is necessary to navigate the changing identification rules.