AAA: REAL ID DEADLINE APPROACHING “Do you have proper identification?”
U.S. travelers must have a REAL ID by May 7th to board domestic flights; access federal facilities
In four weeks, your driver’s license may not be an acceptable form of identification for boarding a domestic flight. That is unless your license is REAL ID compliant.
Beginning May 7th, U.S. travelers will be required to have a REAL ID or other acceptable form of identification to board domestic flights.
“This may not be a widespread issue for Hoosiers and Illinoisans, since each state began issuing REAL ID compliant identifications in 2010 and 2019 respectively,” said Molly Hart, spokeswoman for AAA – The Auto Club Group. “However, if you recently moved here from another state or haven’t renewed your license in a while, you should take a close look at your identification cards. If your license does not have the proper markings, make an appointment with the DMV. The closer we get to the REAL ID deadline; the longer DMV lines are likely to be.”
What is REAL ID?
In 2005, Congress passed the REAL ID Act in effort to fight terrorism and reduce identity fraud by strengthening the integrity and security of State-issued driver licenses and ID cards. REAL ID is a driver’s license or other form of state-issued driver’s license or identification card that meets the minimum-security standards set forth by the federal government.
Is my License REAL ID Compliant?
REAL ID-compliant cards will have of one of the following markings on the upper top portion of the card. If the card does not have one of these markings, it is not REAL ID-compliant and won’t be accepted as proof of identity to board a commercial aircraft.
In four weeks, your driver’s license may not be an acceptable form of identification for boarding a domestic flight. That is unless your license is REAL ID compliant.
Beginning May 7th, U.S. travelers will be required to have a REAL ID or other acceptable form of identification to board domestic flights.
“This may not be a widespread issue for Hoosiers and Illinoisans, since each state began issuing REAL ID compliant identifications in 2010 and 2019 respectively,” said Molly Hart, spokeswoman for AAA – The Auto Club Group. “However, if you recently moved here from another state or haven’t renewed your license in a while, you should take a close look at your identification cards. If your license does not have the proper markings, make an appointment with the DMV. The closer we get to the REAL ID deadline; the longer DMV lines are likely to be.”
What is REAL ID?
In 2005, Congress passed the REAL ID Act in effort to fight terrorism and reduce identity fraud by strengthening the integrity and security of State-issued driver licenses and ID cards. REAL ID is a driver’s license or other form of state-issued driver’s license or identification card that meets the minimum-security standards set forth by the federal government.
Is my License REAL ID Compliant?
REAL ID-compliant cards will have of one of the following markings on the upper top portion of the card. If the card does not have one of these markings, it is not REAL ID-compliant and won’t be accepted as proof of identity to board a commercial aircraft.
How to Apply for a REAL ID in Illinois and Indiana
To apply and be compliant in Illinois residents should visit https://realid.ilsos.gov.
Hoosiers should visit https://www.in.gov/bmv/licenses-permits-ids/real-id-overview/.
Additional FAQs can be found at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s REAL ID webpage.
The Auto Club Group (ACG), named a 2026 Forbes Most Trusted Company in America, is the second-largest AAA club in North America, with more than 13 million members across 14 U.S. states and two U.S. territories. ACG and its affiliates provide members with roadside assistance, insurance products, financial services, travel offerings and more. ACG is part of the national AAA federation, which serves more than 66 million members across the United States and Canada. AAA’s mission is to protect and advance freedom of mobility and improve traffic safety. For more information, download the AAA Mobile app, visit AAA.com, and follow us on social media.