You need an enhanced driver's license or another Real ID document to fly within the United States, but only if you're flying after May 7, 2025
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) enforces a federal requirement called Real ID. Starting May 7, 2025, a standard driver's license will not be accepted at airport security checkpoints for domestic flights. You'll need either an enhanced driver's license, a Real ID-compliant driver's license, a passport, a military ID, or a handful of other approved documents. An enhanced license is one option, but it's not the only one—and it's not available in every state.
The important date has been pushed back multiple times since the original 2020 date, so you may have heard about this before. May 7, 2025 is the current enforcement date. If you fly before that date, your standard license still works. After that date, TSA will turn you away if you don't have an approved form of ID.
Key Takeaways
- An enhanced driver's license is one way to meet the Real ID requirement for domestic air travel, but a standard Real ID-compliant license works just as well and is available in all 50 states.
- Enhanced licenses cost more than standard licenses and take longer to obtain because they require additional documentation and background checks.
- Not all states offer enhanced licenses; you'll need to check your state's DMV website to see if one is available where you live.
- A passport, military ID, or tribal ID will also get you through airport security and work for international travel, whereas an enhanced license does not.
- The May 7, 2025 important date applies only to domestic flights; international flights have always required a passport or other travel document.
What an enhanced license actually is and what it lets you do
An enhanced driver's license is a state-issued ID that meets federal Real ID standards and also allows you to cross the land border into Canada and Mexico without a passport. It has a special marking—usually a star or a special design—that signals to TSA and border agents that it meets the higher security standard.
The enhanced license is useful if you drive frequently to Canada or Mexico and want to avoid carrying a passport every time. For air travel alone, it works identically to a standard Real ID license. The only practical difference is the border crossing feature and the higher cost.
How an enhanced license differs from a standard Real ID license
Both an enhanced license and a standard Real ID-compliant license will get you through TSA security for a domestic flight. The difference is what you can do with them outside the airport.
| Feature | Enhanced License | Standard Real ID License |
|---|---|---|
| Domestic air travel | Yes | Yes |
| Land border crossing to Canada/Mexico | Yes | No |
| International air travel | No | No |
| Cost | Higher (typically $20–$50 more) | Standard license fee |
| Processing time | Longer (extra verification) | Standard DMV timeline |
If you never cross into Canada or Mexico by car, a standard Real ID license is simpler and cheaper. If you do cross by land regularly, an enhanced license saves you from needing to carry a passport every time.
Which states offer enhanced licenses
Not every state issues enhanced licenses. As of now, approximately 20 states offer them, but the list changes and varies by region. States that do offer them include Washington, Oregon, California, Colorado, Minnesota, New York, and others, but you'll need to check your specific state's DMV website to confirm whether it's available where you live.
If your state doesn't offer an enhanced license, you can still meet the Real ID requirement by renewing your standard driver's license with the required documents. You don't need an enhanced license to fly domestically after May 7, 2025—a standard Real ID license works just as well.
What documents you need to get an enhanced license
The documents required for an enhanced license are the same as those for a standard Real ID license, plus additional proof for the border-crossing feature. You'll typically need to bring:
- Proof of identity (passport, birth certificate, or naturalization documents)
- Proof of Social Security number (Social Security card, W-2, or tax return)
- Proof of current address (utility bill, lease, or bank statement)
- Proof of citizenship or legal residency (passport, birth certificate, or immigration documents)
For the enhanced feature specifically, some states require additional background checks or verification of your citizenship status. Processing times are longer—often 4 to 8 weeks instead of the standard 1 to 3 weeks for a regular license renewal. You'll need to visit your state's DMV in person; you cannot renew an enhanced license by mail in most states.
Cost and processing time for an enhanced license
An enhanced license costs more than a standard driver's license. The exact price varies by state, but you can expect to pay $20 to $50 more than a standard license renewal. Some states charge a flat fee for the enhanced feature; others charge based on how long the license is valid.
Processing time is also longer because the state conducts additional background checks and citizenship verification. Standard licenses typically take 1 to 3 weeks; enhanced licenses often take 4 to 8 weeks or longer, depending on the state and how busy the DMV is. If you need to fly soon, this delay matters. If you're planning ahead, an enhanced license is worth considering if your state offers it and you cross the border by car.
Alternatives that also work for flying after May 7, 2025
You don't have to get an enhanced license to fly domestically. The TSA accepts several other forms of ID that meet the Real ID standard:
- A standard Real ID-compliant driver's license (available in all 50 states)
- A U.S. passport or passport card
- A military ID (active duty, retired, or reserve)
- A Department of Homeland Security trusted traveler card (NEXUS, SENTRI, or FAST)
- A tribal ID issued by a federally recognized tribe
- A state ID card that meets Real ID standards
A passport is the most versatile option because it works for both domestic and international flights, as well as for land border crossings. If you travel internationally at all, getting a passport may be more practical than an enhanced license. If you only fly domestically and never cross the border, a standard Real ID license is the simplest and cheapest route.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I still fly with a regular driver's license after May 7, 2025?
No. After May 7, 2025, TSA will not accept a standard (non-Real ID) driver's license for domestic flights. You'll need an enhanced license, a Real ID-compliant license, a passport, or another approved document. If you try to fly with only a standard license, you will be turned away at security.
Does an enhanced license work for international flights?
No. An enhanced license only works for domestic flights and land border crossings to Canada and Mexico. For international air travel, you need a passport or passport card. If you fly internationally at all, a passport is more practical than an enhanced license.
What if my state doesn't offer enhanced licenses?
You can renew your standard driver's license as a Real ID-compliant license instead. Bring the same documents (proof of identity, Social Security number, address, and citizenship) to your DMV, and request the Real ID version. It costs the same as a standard renewal and works just as well for flying.
How long does it take to get an enhanced license?
Processing time varies by state, but enhanced licenses typically take 4 to 8 weeks because of additional background checks and citizenship verification. Standard licenses take 1 to 3 weeks. Check your state's DMV website for the current timeline, as it can change depending on how busy the office is.
Is an enhanced license worth it if I only fly domestically?
Only if you regularly cross the land border into Canada or Mexico by car. If you don't cross the border, a standard Real ID license is cheaper, faster to get, and works identically for flying. The enhanced feature adds cost and processing time for a benefit you won't use.