The new flying ID restrictions are here, and they’re a mess
1 min read
Summary
On 7 May, the Transportation Security Administration will require travellers to have a REAL ID, or another approved form of identification, to board a domestic flight in the US.
Whilst 81% of TSA checkpoint travellers already have a REAL ID or another compliant form of identification, it is predicted that the remainder could face delays.
The deadline has been delayed multiple times; the act was originally supposed to be fully implemented by 2008, 17 years ago.
People in New Jersey and Illinois, in particular, have been scrambling to get REAL IDs before the deadline.
Those without a REAL ID can also provide other identification, such as a valid military ID, passport or proof of membership in a trusted traveller scheme, but they may face additional screenings and longer waits.