US Proposes Delay of REAL ID Requirements Until May 2027

17.09.2024 - 21:11 / travelpulse.com / North America / Noreen Kompanik

It appears full enforcement of new REAL ID card registration is experiencing another delay.

The Biden administration has proposed delaying full enforcement of new regulations requiring Americans to get new identification cards in order to board airplanes or enter a federal building by up to another two years to May 2027, according to Reuters.

However, The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that would provide federal agencies with necessary flexibility to begin enforcement of the REAL ID regulations on the May 7, 2025, deadline in a manner that takes into account security, operational risk and public impact.

A TSA spokesperson released the following statement to TravelPulse.

"REAL ID enforcement begins on May 7, 2025. On that date, every air traveler 18 years of age and older must have a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license, state-issued enhanced driver’s license, or another acceptable form of ID to fly within the United States. The list of acceptable IDs is available on TSA.gov. The proposed rule maintains the deadline and provides necessary flexibility for agencies to begin enforcement in a way that takes into account security, operational risk, and public impact.  While the proposed ruled would allow TSA to consider a phased approach to enforcement, travelers without a REAL ID compliant ID or another form of acceptable ID after the May 7, 2025, deadline should be prepared to experience travel delays at airport security checkpoints. The rule would require that any agency using a phased enforcement plan achieve full enforcement no later than May 2027.  However, agencies may choose to begin full enforcement immediately on May 7, 2025, or choose to implement a phased enforcement plan that achieves full enforcement before May 2027."

Enforcing the requirements immediately could have a significant impact on U.S. airlines and airports.

TSA, which is part of DHS and oversees airport security checkpoints, said that it wants to implement a "phased approach" to the requirements through May 2027 but could begin full enforcement. Spokesperson Carter Langston said the agency's message to travelers is get the new ID to avoid delays.  

DHS believes that without the postponement, U.S. agencies could face a serious risk of operational disruption, negative public impact and potential security vulnerabilities.  In addition, TSA said that failing to accept older IDs for a longer period could "lead to long lines and crowding at access points to federal facilities or airport security checkpoints."

One major issue with the ID requirement is that more than 124 million people still do not have compliant IDs. DHS estimates states and territories have issued approximately 162 million