Starting Wednesday, May 7, 2025, American travelers flying domestically will need a "Real ID" to board their flights, prompting a significant rush at Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) offices across North Carolina. Thousands of residents are lining up to obtain this upgraded form of identification, which features a star in the upper right corner, signifying compliance with federal standards.
Deja Spedden, a North Carolina resident, spent most of her day on Monday, April 28, 2025, waiting in line at the West Asheville DMV. "I'm here to get my Real-ID," she told News 13. "I'm a last-minute person. May 7 is coming up, so I would rather get it now and not wait until the actual last day." Spedden plans to fly to Houston next month and sees the Real ID as her only option since she does not possess a passport.
According to Marty Homan, communications manager for the North Carolina Department of Transportation's DMV, the state has been issuing Real IDs for the past eight years. "Everyone, at this point, has had a chance to get a Real ID during their renewal period. We're going to do everything we can with the staff that we have to get people what they need in the timeframe in which they need it," Homan said. He added that there has been a surprising number of people coming to the office wanting to get a Real ID, many of whom already have one.
The Real ID initiative was born out of the recommendations made by the 9/11 Commission, which called for a federal standard for licenses and IDs. Homan explained, "The terrorists that attacked on 9/11 had multiple IDs from many different states. That's part of the reason why they were able to carry out what they carried out." Currently, over four million of North Carolina's 8.6 million active residents already possess their Real IDs, with more than 82,000 issued in March alone.
Despite the urgency, obtaining a Real ID is not mandatory in North Carolina. Homan emphasized, "It is completely optional in North Carolina. You do not need a Real ID to drive, vote, get healthcare, fill a prescription, or bank. If you already have a passport, passport card, U.S. military card, a Permanent Resident Card (Green Card), or any federally accepted IDs, you don’t need a Real ID – what you have will work."
For those not planning to fly soon, the DMV is advising residents to hold off on getting their Real IDs. “There are people who don’t have those forms who will need to get a Real ID in the near term,” Homan said. “If you’re not traveling [by plane] until September or October or the holidays, there’s no need to rush to the DMV right now.”
Nevertheless, many North Carolinians, like Jeannie Kostlevy, are eager to secure their Real IDs ahead of time. "My passport's going to expire pretty soon. I want to be extra safe," Kostlevy shared. She noted that finding an appointment has been challenging, stating, "I've gone online and there’s nothing available. My friends have gone anywhere from Sylva to Forest City, Morganton, and Marion. It is very busy."
The good news for residents is that there is no deadline for obtaining a Real ID. Homan reassured, "We are not going to stop issuing Real IDs after May 7th. That [May 7] is just when TSA will start requiring a Real ID at the terminal. You may still be able to board a plane on May 7 if you don’t have a Real ID. You’ll want to check out TSA’s website. There are other things you can bring. They're telling people to expect a longer wait [to get through TSA] if you don’t have a Real ID."
Adding to the complexity, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has confirmed that identification cards issued by the Department of Defense (DoD) will continue to be accepted for domestic airline travel after the May 7 deadline. TSA officials stated that DoD Common Access Cards, Uniformed Services ID cards, and older DoD ID cards for military family members and retirees are acceptable forms of identification.
Recently, a post on the official Facebook page for Fort Bragg, North Carolina, erroneously suggested that retiree and family member military ID cards would no longer be accepted. The post was quickly removed after it was determined to contain incorrect information. The Fort Bragg public affairs office later apologized for any confusion caused by the misinformation.
However, military retirees and dependents with DoD identification cards that bear an "INDEF" expiration date have reported issues at TSA checkpoints in recent years, with the TSA's system interpreting the "INDEF" date as expired. In such cases, TSA may require travelers to present another acceptable form of ID, such as a Real ID-compliant driver’s license or a passport. If travelers do not have an alternative form of ID, they may undergo additional screening.
As the May 7 enforcement date approaches, TSA officials are advising travelers to expect delays at checkpoints, especially those with state identification that is not Real ID compliant. Roughly 81% of travelers already possess acceptable forms of identification, according to TSA data.
President George W. Bush signed the Real ID Act into law in 2005 to establish minimum security standards for state driver’s licenses and identifications, a measure recommended by the commission that investigated the September 11 attacks. Although many states initially resisted implementing the law due to cost concerns and a lack of federal funding, compliance has gradually increased over the years. The deadline has been extended multiple times, including during the pandemic, until December 2022.
As TSA prepares to enforce the Real ID requirement, acting TSA administrator Adam Stahl stated, "The Real ID requirement bolsters safety by making fraudulent IDs harder to forge, thwarting criminals and terrorists. TSA will implement Real ID effectively and efficiently, continuing to ensure the safety and security of passengers while also working to minimize operational disruptions at airports."
Travelers are urged to check the TSA website for a complete list of acceptable forms of ID, as the list is subject to change without notice. The TSA emphasizes the importance of arriving at the airport early, particularly for those who may face additional screening due to not having a Real ID or an acceptable alternative.
