Real ID Rush: Airports and States Prepping for May 7 Deadline, Leaving Students Scrambling
Uncertainty persists amid new travel regulations: REAL ID sparks queries and worries among youthful voyagers
We chatted with Acting TSA Administrator Adam Stahl about the impact of Real ID on travel, as airports and states get set for the May 7 deadline.
As May rolls around, the U.S. gears up for the peak summer travel season, which is particularly bustling on college campuses as students finish classes, pack bags, and head home. However, some students may find themselves stranded at the airport due to a federal ID rule kicking in just as they're leaving.
Last year, the Department of Homeland Security set May 7 as the enforcement date for Real ID, but the law has been in the works since 2005 - way before the current crop of college freshmen was even born. With the deadline falling right after the end of the spring semester, there are legitimate concerns that students returning home could be caught off-guard by the new requirements.
"We've got tens of thousands of people weekly showing up at our driver's license centers to get the Real ID," said Pennsylvania Transportation Secretary Michael Carroll at a press briefing this week. "It's a real challenge for us, because people have waited until the last minute."
On campus, the excitement is palpable as first-year students share their summer plans, either going to exotic locales or visiting friends and family. Many are eager to simply grab their carry-on bags, round up their friends, and escape to a beach for a sun-soaked getaway. But for those lacking a Real ID - or unsure of what the law means for them - this change could create some unexpected barriers to summer travel.
Real ID Renews America's Age-Old Dread of the DMV
TSA agents scrutinize airline passengers for Real IDs or passports at Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson Airport on May 7, 2025. Despite the enforcement date, DHS officials confirm that Americans without Real ID will still be able to travel, albeit with additional screenings[3]. (Credit: Robin Rayne for our website Digital)
Some students were well-prepared. Riley Davis, a junior at the University of Alabama, obtained a Real ID-compliant license earlier this year.
"I first learned about Real ID on social media last year, and had the star added when I renewed my license," Davis said. She praised Alabama's process as "super easy," and noted that she was able to schedule her appointment online at her local DMV - a feature available in many states.
Many college freshmen have just wrapped up their first year, which included intense academic challenges, forging new friendships, and learning dorm life - all while being away from home for the first time. Some may have only recently become eligible for a Real ID, as it's issued to U.S. residents who are 18 or older[4].
The exact number of college-aged Americans in compliance with Real ID regulations is unclear, with estimates varying from state to state. New Jersey's Real ID compliance is the lowest in the country at 17%, according to data compiled by CBS News. Pennsylvania and New York reported compliance rates of only 26% and 43%, respectively[6].
Confusion Abounds
College students have expressed confusion in conversations with friends and family regarding the new IDs and enforcement, as well as whether other documents, such as a passport, would suffice.
For anyone who is not prepared to meet Real ID requirements - either due to the timing or confusion over the law - they may face lengthy lines and significant delays before being allowed to fly domestically. Officials in New Jersey, for example, said they release "thousands" of new slots daily for residents to obtain Real ID licenses, which have booked up almost instantly due to the backlog of applicants.
Alabama also warned that appointments are filling up rapidly, especially in larger cities, and may not even be available online[7]. Other states are dealing with a last-minute surge of visitors seeking Real ID before they travel.
A Matter of Principle?
Brilyn Hollyhand, an 18-year-old college student and political commentator who recently met with President Donald Trump, expressed concerns about Real ID not due to the ID itself, but rather its use - or lack thereof - for voting purposes.
"I think it's ridiculous and dumb that we require an ID to fly domestically, but not to vote," Hollyhand said of the new requirements, which also apply to domestic flights. "It's simple: if you need an ID to fly to visit your grandmother out of state, you need it to cast your vote to decide the future of our nation."
Many young travelers mistakenly believe their current IDs will still work, even if they don't feature the star in the top right corner to denote Real ID compliance. Others are unaware that a valid passport can also be used for air travel under the new rules, exacerbating the confusion.
Garrett McDonalds, a sophomore at Auburn University, said his parents informed him about the new ID requirements after they renewed their licenses - prompting him to renew his own prior to the deadline. McDonalds described the process as "crazy smooth," provided applicants bring the necessary documents. "Now it should be easier to fly," he said, "and hopefully, I won't lose my passport on trips anymore!"
TSA agents have advised that individuals without Real IDs will be subject to additional screenings starting May 7 and should plan for additional airport time prior to their flights.
Breanne Deppisch is a national politics reporter for our website Digital, covering the Trump administration, with a focus on the Justice Department, FBI, and other national news.
Compliance Rates by State:
While there is no specific data available for college-aged Americans, here is a general overview of Real ID compliance rates by state, which may indirectly reflect the situation for this demographic:
- High Compliance Rates:
- Texas: 98%
- Mississippi: 97%
- Hawaii: 96%
- Utah: 96%
- Vermont: 92%
- Nebraska: Nearly 100% (99.5%)
- Other states, like Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, South Dakota, Wyoming, and the District of Columbia, report virtually 100% compliance[1][2].
- Lower Compliance Rates:
- New Jersey: 17%
- Pennsylvania: 26%
- Washington: 27%
- Maine: 27%
- New York: 43%
- California: 55%
- Illinois: Approximately one-third of residents have Real IDs, with recent increases[1][2].
[1] Real ID Fact Sheet
[2] U.S. Department of Homeland Security
[3] TSA Agents
[4] Real ID Enforcement begins
[5] Real ID Deadline
[6] Real ID Compliance Rates by State
- With the upcoming May 7 deadline for Real ID enforcement, there are concerns that students returning home after the spring semester could be caught off-guard by the new requirements, given the peak travel season on college campuses.
- Some students have already prepared for the Real ID requirement, like Riley Davis, a junior at the University of Alabama, who obtained a Real ID-compliant license earlier this year.
- However, compliance rates vary from state to state, with New Jersey having the lowest rate at 17%, according to CBS News.
- Confusion about the new IDs and enforcement has been expressed by college students, leading to potential significant delays for those who are not prepared to meet Real ID requirements.
- Brilyn Hollyhand, an 18-year-old college student and political commentator, expressed concerns about Real ID not being used for voting purposes.
- As May approaches, TSA agents have advised that individuals without Real IDs will be subject to additional screenings, and travelers should plan for additional airport time prior to their flights.
