Can I Fly in the US with a Driver’s License?
As air travel regulations continue to evolve, many travelers find themselves questioning what forms of identification are acceptable to board a domestic flight in the United States. One of the most common inquiries is whether a driver’s license is sufficient for air travel within the country. The answer is both yes and no.
In the past, a driver’s license was the most commonly accepted form of identification for domestic air travel. However, in recent years, the federal government has implemented stricter security measures, particularly the Real ID Act, which has changed the requirements for acceptable forms of identification.
The Real ID Act was passed by Congress in 2005 in response to the 9/11 terrorist attacks. The Act established minimum security standards for state-issued driver’s licenses and identification cards and prohibited federal agencies, including the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), from accepting licenses and ID cards that do not meet these standards for official purposes, including boarding a domestic flight.
Under the Real ID Act, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) established a phased enforcement plan to ensure that all states and territories are compliant with the new standards. As of October 1, 2021, all travelers flying within the US will need to present a Real ID-compliant form of identification to board a commercial aircraft.
So, can you fly in the US with a driver’s license? The answer is yes, as long as your license is Real ID-compliant. To determine if your license meets the requirements, look for a star in the upper right-hand corner of the card. This star indicates that the license is Real ID-compliant and can be used for domestic air travel.
If your driver’s license does not have a star, you may still be able to use it to board a domestic flight, but only if you have an alternative form of acceptable identification. Acceptable alternatives include a passport, military ID, DHS Trusted Traveler card (such as Global Entry or NEXUS), or certain other federally recognized forms of ID.
It is important to note that even if your driver’s license is Real ID-compliant, it must be issued by a state that is in compliance with the Real ID Act. As of now, all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and five US territories are either compliant with the Act or have an extension from DHS. The DHS website provides a list of compliant states and territories, as well as information on how to obtain a Real ID-compliant license.
In addition to the Real ID Act, the TSA has also implemented a Secure Flight program, which requires airlines to collect certain passenger information, including full name, date of birth, and gender, to ensure that travelers are not on the government’s No Fly List. This information must match the identification presented at the airport, so it is important to ensure that the name on your ticket matches the name on your ID.
In conclusion, while a driver’s license can still be used to fly within the US, it must be Real ID-compliant to be accepted by the TSA. If your license does not meet the requirements, you will need to present an alternative form of identification. It is recommended that travelers check the status of their state’s compliance with the Real ID Act and obtain a Real ID-compliant license if necessary to avoid any issues when flying domestically.
