In recent years, there has been a growing debate over whether or not individuals should be allowed to board a plane with just a driver’s license. While some argue that a driver’s license should suffice as proper identification for boarding a domestic flight, others believe that more rigorous forms of identification, such as a passport or state-issued identification card, should be required.
This debate has only intensified in recent months, as the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has announced new rules and regulations regarding identification requirements for air travel. These new rules have left many travelers wondering whether or not they can still board a plane with just their driver’s license.
According to the TSA, individuals can still board a domestic flight with just a driver’s license. However, there are certain stipulations that must be met in order to do so. For starters, the driver’s license must be Real ID-compliant. This means that the license must meet certain security features and be issued by a state that complies with the Real ID Act of 2005.
In addition to being Real ID-compliant, the driver’s license must also be issued by a state that is part of the REAL ID program. Currently, all 50 states, as well as the District of Columbia and several U.S. territories, are part of the program. However, if an individual’s state is not part of the program, they will need to provide an alternative form of identification, such as a passport or state-issued identification card.
While the TSA does allow individuals to board a domestic flight with just a driver’s license, it is important to note that this may not be the case for international flights. Many countries require a passport for entry, so it is always best to check with the airline and the destination country’s embassy or consulate to determine what forms of identification are required for travel.
In light of these new rules and regulations, it is important for travelers to ensure that their driver’s license is Real ID-compliant and issued by a state that is part of the REAL ID program. Failure to do so could result in being denied boarding and potentially missing a flight.
Overall, while it is still possible to board a plane with just a driver’s license, there are certain requirements that must be met in order to do so. By ensuring that their driver’s license is Real ID-compliant and issued by a state that is part of the REAL ID program, travelers can rest assured that they will not have any issues when boarding a domestic flight.
