REAL ID Travel Laws Go Into Effect, Or Do They?

By Idy Perl

After years of getting pushed off and delayed time and time again, the REAL ID travel laws are finally going into effect today…sort of. 

The REAL ID Act places new regulations on the kinds of ID that are accepted for domestic travel. The act was first introduced in 2005 after being drafted during the aftermath of the September 11 attacks. 

In the last few years, DMV’s have already been issuing REAL and Enhanced ID cards, which are marked with a star or flag in the top right corner. Around 80% of travelers in the U.S. are said to have REAL ID’s already, but those who don’t need to worry just yet. 

In a Congressional hearing on May 6th, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said that those without REAL IDs will still be allowed to board domestic flights with a regular ID but will probably be diverted to a separate line or go through an extra step before boarding.