The deadline for the real ID is May 7. Here’s what you need to know before flying

Travelers take note: The federal government says it will start to apply the requirements of actual identification at American airports from May 7 – for real this time.

This means that travelers will need a real license in accordance with ID or another form of identification accepted as a passport to pass security before a domestic American flight.

The Security Administration Transportation said that 81% of people approaching the airport control points already have a real verification in accordance with the identification, although it varies depending on the state.

In recent weeks, federal and state officials have urged travelers to make an appointment in motor vehicle services to update licenses and other identity cards before the deadline, although availability has become rare.

“Make your appointments now as quickly as possible,” said John Essig, Federal Director of Transportation Security Administration for airports in the New York region at a press conference at Laguardia airport earlier this month. “We certainly do not want to keep anyone without a real identity document at the checkpoint,” said Essig.

Panels reminding travelers in the United States to request a real identity card have been in place for years, although the deadline has been postponed several times. A TSA officer this week distributed leaflets to travelers with a QR code for real information on identification at Laguardia airport.

Airlines also reminded travelers new requirements via customer emails and other channels. Airlines Frontier To a gray banner that executes its website by informing travelers of real identification requirements.

A real identity document is an identity card, such as a driving license or an identity document issued by the State, which complies with the federal rules initiated following terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. These air hackers used state identifiers and driving licenses, some of which were fraudulently obtained.

In 2005, Congress adopted Real ID Act, allowing the federal government to set standards for State IDs. It was originally supposed to come into force in 2008, but was postponed several times, including during the pandemic.

Identity cards have a gold or black star, or in California, a yellow bear, at the top right.

“If the card does not have one of these brands, it is not real and in accordance with the identification and will not be accepted as proof of identity in order to board commercial aircraft,” said the Ministry of Internal Security.

Travelers 18 or too much need identification, or another form of identification accepted, for American interior flights.

If you cannot get a real identifier by May 7, there are options.

TSA says you can use an American passport; A permanent resident card, also known as the green card; Or a trusted travel identifier, such as a world entry card, and others.

No. But you can opt for an “improved ID” which also complies with actual identification, which you can use to travel to Mexico and Canada.

The TSA says that the deadline is legitimate and that travelers without real identifier or other accepted document could undergo delays during security, because it will take more time to check their identity.

They could face “additional screening and the possibility of not being authorized in the security checkpoint,” the ASD said in a press release on Friday.

The agency recommends that travelers arrive at least three hours before interior flights if they do not have a real identity document or an alternative.

“Identity verification is a safety Lynchpin and we will make sure that passengers are verified as they say they are before they can go beyond the control point,” said spokesperson Carter Langston.