In less than six months, New Yorkers will need a new type of ID to fly anywhere domestically in the United States: REAL ID requirements are coming.

Starting May 2025, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will require a “REAL ID” or an enhanced ID instead of the regular standard issued one.

To know if your ID or license is real real ID compliant, check the top right corner for a flag or star. REAL IDs came about after the September 11th terrorist attacks as a way to establish stricter and more consistent security standards for all Americans across states. Passed by Congress in 2005 following a 9/11 Commission recommendation, the REAL ID Act established minimum security standards for state-issued driver's licenses and identification cards.

New Yorkers whose license or ID is up for renewal now can get a REAL ID at no additional cost beyond the renewal fee. In addition to the REAL ID, which is also needed to enter some federal buildings, the DMV offers an Enhanced ID which meets federal REAL ID standards. An Enhanced ID costs $30 extra and can be used as identification for traveling to Canada, Mexico and some countries in the Caribbean. A passport is also acceptable as a REAL ID-compliant document.

Previously, the deadline was pushed back because of COVID-19, but the Department Of Motor Vehicles says don’t use that as an excuse to wait until the last minute and risk being denied boarding your plane especially because it can only be done in-person.

To see if your ID or license is REAL ID-compliant, see a step-by-step guide here. For an example of what a REAL ID looks like, visit this link.