TSA and Oregon DMV officials highlight May 7 REAL ID enforcement deadline
By Garrett Christensen on Tuesday, April 8th, 2025 in Columbia Basin News Eastern/Southeast Oregon News More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News
SALEM – (Release from the Oregon Department of Transportation) Officials with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and Oregon Driver and Motor Vehicle Services (DMV) today reminded the public that starting Wednesday, May 7, 2025, every air traveler 18 years of age and older must have a REAL ID-compliant state-issued driver’s license, instruction permit or identification card or another acceptable form of ID to board a U.S. commercial aircraft.
To determine if an Oregon driver’s license or identification card is REAL ID-compliant, look for a star in the upper right corner. The presence of this star indicates the credential is REAL ID-compliant.
Once enforcement begins, travelers who do not have a REAL ID-compliant state-issued credential or another acceptable form of ID can expect delays when they arrive at the TSA security checkpoint. The length of the delay will be determined by the number of other travelers who do not have a REAL ID-compliant credential, or another form of identification accepted by TSA for identity verification.
“TSA accepts multiple forms of photo identification at the security checkpoint including passports, Trusted Traveler cards, military IDs and more. We encourage travelers to spend a few minutes now to determine if they are prepared for the federal enforcement of REAL ID,” said TSA Federal Security Director for Oregon Kathleen McDonald. “With one month to go before the deadline, now is the time to make a plan to verify your identity with TSA when you travel.”
“As the May 7 enforcement date approaches, we’re seeing long lines and appointments can be hard to come by,” said DMV Administrator Amy Joyce. “Determine if you can wait to get a REAL ID until later in the year or when your card expires. If you are planning on flying in the next couple months and don’t have a passport, make sure to bring in the correct documents so you can complete your transaction the first time. You can’t get a REAL ID online, but you can do more than 20 other transactions, so avoid the lines by seeing if you can complete your service at DMV2U.”
Passengers can avoid delays in their air travel by ensuring their identification credential is REAL-ID compliant or be prepared to present another acceptable form of ID.
TSA has a full list of acceptable forms of identification beyond a state-issued driver’s license or identification card that can be presented at the security checkpoint for identity verification. Some examples of alternate forms of acceptable identification are a U.S. passport or passport card; any government-issued passport; Department of Homeland Security Trusted Traveler card including a Global Entry or SENTRI card; active duty and retired military ID including IDs issued to dependents; ID card issued by any of Oregon’s nine federally recognized tribes; and the Transportation Worker Identification Credential.
Congress passed The REAL ID Act in 2005, enacting a recommendation from the 9/11 Commission that established minimum security standards for state-issued driver’s licenses and identification cards. The Act further prohibited federal agencies, including the TSA, from accepting state-issued driver’s licenses or identification cards that do not meet the minimum standards.
REAL ID is intended to improve the reliability and accuracy of driver’s licenses and identification cards while inhibiting the ability of terrorists and others to evade detection by using fraudulent identification.
Oregon DMV began issuing REAL ID-compliant cards in July 2020. To get a REAL ID-compliant credential, you must apply in person at a DMV office and bring the federally required documents that prove your identity, date of birth, residence address (two proofs of address from two different sources) and lawful status in the U.S. It takes up to three weeks to receive your REAL ID card in the mail, and TSA will not accept the temporary paper card given at the DMV. Oregonians are encouraged to make sure they have REAL ID-compliant identification or another acceptable form of identification accepted by TSA in advance of any upcoming flight.
Signs are currently posted at airports nationwide reminding the public that REAL ID-compliant licenses or other acceptable forms of identification will be mandatory for commercial air travel beginning May 7, 2025. More information and Frequently Asked Questions on REAL ID can be found at www.tsa.gov/real-id and www.oregon.gov/realid.
