REAL ID deadline extended to May 2023

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has extended from Oct. 1 this year to May 3, 2023 the full enforcement date of the new REAL ID, officials announced this week.

The delay comes in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which has impacted the ability of states to issue REAL ID-compliant drivers’ licenses and identification cards. DHS will publish an interim final rule in the coming days to effectuate this enforcement date change.

“Protecting the health, safety, and security of our communities is our top priority,” said Homeland Secretary Alejandro N. Mayorkas. “As our country continues to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, extending the REAL ID full enforcement deadline will give states needed time to reopen their driver’s licensing operations and ensure their residents can obtain a REAL ID-compliant license or identification card.”

Beginning May 3, 2023, every air traveler 18 years of age and older will need a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or identification card, state-issued enhanced driver’s license, or another TSA-acceptable form of identification at airport security checkpoints for domestic air travel.

All 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, and four of five U.S. territories covered by the REAL ID Act and related regulations are now compliant with REAL ID security standards and are issuing REAL ID-compliant driver’s licenses and identification cards.

But COVID has caused many states to operate their departments of motor vehicles with limited in-person hours, and as a result, only 43 percent of all state-issued driver’s licenses and identification cards are currently REAL ID-compliant. DHS continues to work closely with all U.S. states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories to implement REAL ID Act requirements. For more information on REAL ID, visit www.dhs.gov/real-id.