The Real Deal on REAL ID

As more people get vaccinated and start to think about traveling again, now is a good time to revisit the REAL ID requirements.

Beginning May 3, 2023, travelers in the U.S. will need a new type of identification card to fly domestically: a REAL ID. Most current driver’s licenses will no longer be accepted by the Transportation Security Administration, which means you’ll need a REAL ID or an acceptable alternative.

While REAL ID is a federal requirement, it’s only required for domestic air travel and to enter federal buildings and military sites that require identification. You can still do all of this if you have another form of acceptable identification – such as a valid U.S. passport, passport card, Global Entry card, permanent resident card or U.S. Department of Defense ID. You can find the complete list of acceptable identification on TSA’s website, tsa.gov.

We encourage you to not wait until the last minute to get a REAL ID. You can apply for a new driver’s license up to 364 days before expiration or request a duplicate license and upgrade to REAL ID, so start gathering your documents now to avoid the last-minute rush.

All AAA branches in Massachusetts and Rhode Island and several branches in New York offer DMV and RMV services for members, including REAL ID. We’ve made the process easy, efficient and convenient. Reservations are required, so first make a reservation online. Then you can download any necessary paperwork from our website and complete it beforehand to limit your time in the office.

Don’t get turned away – get your REAL ID today. Visit mass.gov/rmv, dmv.ri.gov/realid or dmv.ny.gov to learn about REAL ID requirements in your state.

Learn more about REAL ID.

Find more information and make a reservation at AAA.com/Registry.