The federal Real ID deadline of May 2025 may get two years of wiggle room, if a proposed extension by the Transportation Security Administration goes into effect, potentially giving people more time to get their paperwork in order and obtain their updated ID.

The Real ID Act of 2005 means that US residents 18 and older will eventually have to present a Real ID-enhanced driver's license or a passport or other federally approved identification document to fly, even from state to state. The current deadline of May 7, 2025, for the TSA to begin enforcing the Real ID requirement still stands, but the proposal would allow the agency to consider phased enforcement through May 2027.

Travelers without a Real ID as of May 2025 may face delays at airport security checkpoints, the TSA said.

"The proposed rule maintains the May 7, 2025, deadline while providing necessary flexibility for agencies to begin enforcement in a way that takes into account security, operational risk, and public impact," the agency said in a statement.

Under the new proposal, travelers will be encouraged to have their Real IDs by the 2025 date even though full enforcement would not kick in until May 5, 2027.

In short, the Department of Homeland Security is anticipating that a lot of people will be applying for Real IDs at the last possible minute, resulting in a delay. And an influx of people without Real IDs showing up at airports and attempting to fly could cause delays and security issues at airports.

When May 7, 2025, rolls around, agencies will start issuing warnings to fliers who don't have Real ID-compliant IDs. This is to encourage people to update their documents and be prepared for next time. The progressive enforcement would end in 2027, making it a hard rule that a flier must have a Real ID-compliant ID.

Plans for the gradual rollout are still in progress. The TSA could use a three-strike rule, warning travelers multiple times to acquire their Real IDs before turning them away.

The latest in a long string of delays

The Real ID Act was first passed by Congress in 2005 with an initial start date of 2008. However, US states have continually asked for delays, as adoption rates have been low. The COVID-19 pandemic caused more delays, and eventually the date was set for 2023 before it was delayed again to 2025.

The TSA says that only 56% of issued IDs are Real ID-compliant as of January 2024. Part of the reason for going with a gradual rollout instead of another full delay is to nudge people to acquire their Real IDs ahead of the new start date in 2027. The worry is that another full delay without any enforcement would cause continued low adoption rates that could cause problems around holidays and other high-travel times.