Can You Use Your Driver's License for Air Travel?

A regular driver's license is not enough for domestic flights anymore

If your driver's license is from a state that has not yet complied with the federal REAL ID Act, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will not accept it as your only form of identification at airport security. You will need to bring an additional document — a passport, passport card, military ID, or another federally approved ID — even for flights within the United States.

If your driver's license is from a state that has already upgraded to REAL ID compliance, you can use it alone for domestic flights. The easiest way to know which applies to you is to look for a small star or marking in the upper right corner of your license. That star means your state has met the REAL ID standard.

For international flights, a regular driver's license — even a REAL ID-compliant one — will not work. You must have a passport or passport card.

Key Takeaways

A REAL ID-compliant driver's license (marked with a star) works alone for domestic flights; a non-compliant license does not.
If your license lacks the star, bring a passport, passport card, military ID, or other federally approved ID to the airport.
No driver's license — compliant or not — is sufficient for international travel; you need a passport or passport card.
You can check your state's REAL ID status on the TSA website or by calling your state's motor vehicle department.

How to tell if your driver's license meets the REAL ID standard

The federal REAL ID Act set security standards for state-issued IDs starting in 2005. States have been gradually upgrading their driver's licenses to meet those standards. A license that meets the standard has a small star or marking — usually gold or gold-colored — printed in the upper right corner of the card.

If your license has no star, your state has not yet completed the upgrade, or you have an older license issued before your state made the change. You can verify your state's status by visiting the TSA website and looking at their list of compliant states, or by calling your state's Department of Motor Vehicles directly.

The important date for all states to comply has been extended multiple times. As of now, most states have already made the switch, but a few have not. Even if your state is compliant, an older license you received years ago may not have the star. In that case, you would need to renew it to get the REAL ID version.

What to bring if your license is not REAL ID-compliant

If your driver's license does not have the star, you have two options: renew your license to get a REAL ID version, or bring a second form of identification to the airport. The second form must be federally approved. The TSA accepts the following documents:

U.S. passport or passport card
Military ID (active duty, reserve, retired, or dependent)
Permanent resident card (green card)
Trusted Traveler program cards (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, or FAST)
State-issued Enhanced Driver's License
Tribal ID issued by a federally recognized tribe

You do not need to renew your license right away. You can continue flying domestically by bringing one of these documents along with your current driver's license. However, if you fly frequently, renewing to a REAL ID license may be more convenient than carrying a second document every time.

How to renew your license to REAL ID status

To get a REAL ID-compliant driver's license, you will need to visit your state's Department of Motor Vehicles in person. You cannot renew online or by mail if you want the REAL ID version. Bring your current license, proof of your Social Security number (usually a Social Security card or tax return), proof of your date of birth (birth certificate or passport), and proof of your current address (utility bill, lease, or bank statement).

Some states charge a small fee for a REAL ID license — typically between $10 and $30 more than a standard renewal. The fee varies by state. Processing time also varies: some states issue the license the same day, while others mail it within one to two weeks.

If you are renewing your license anyway because it is expiring, you can request the REAL ID version at the same time without extra visits. Ask the DMV staff specifically for a REAL ID-compliant license to make sure you receive the version with the star.

International travel requires a passport, not a driver's license

If you are flying outside the United States, no driver's license — REAL ID or not — will work as your travel document. The TSA will not let you through security without a passport or passport card. Most countries require a passport as proof of citizenship and identity when you enter.

A U.S. passport book takes four to six weeks to receive through the standard process, or two to three weeks if you pay for expedited processing. A passport card is smaller and cheaper but can only be used for land and sea travel to Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean — not for air travel outside those destinations. For most international flights, you need the full passport book.

If you do not yet have a passport, you will need to explore at a passport acceptance facility — usually your local post office, courthouse, or DMV — well before your travel date. Bring your birth certificate, a government-issued photo ID (your driver's license works for this), and proof of citizenship.

What happens if you show up without the right ID

If you arrive at airport security with only a non-REAL ID driver's license and no other federally approved ID, the TSA will not let you through the security checkpoint. You will not be able to board your flight. You may be able to go home and return with the correct documents if you have time, but you will miss your flight if you cannot retrieve them quickly.

The TSA agents at security can tell you on the spot whether your license meets the standard. If you are unsure before you travel, you can check your license for the star, or call the TSA's general information line to confirm your state's status.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to renew my license just to fly domestically?

No. If your license is not REAL ID-compliant, you can continue flying domestically by bringing a second federally approved ID — such as a passport, military ID, or green card — along with your driver's license. You only need to renew if you want to use your license alone.

Can I use an expired driver's license at the airport?

No. Your ID must be current and valid. An expired license will not work, even if it has the REAL ID star. If your license is expiring soon, renew it before you travel.

What if I lost my driver's license and need to fly?

You can still fly using another federally approved ID, such as a passport, military ID, or passport card. You do not need your driver's license specifically. If you need a replacement license, contact your state's Department of Motor Vehicles, but that is separate from your ability to travel.

Does a REAL ID license work for international flights?

No. A REAL ID license is only for domestic flights. For any international travel, you must have a passport or passport card, regardless of whether your license is REAL ID-compliant.

How do I know if my state has REAL ID compliance?

Check the TSA website for a current list of compliant states, or call your state's Department of Motor Vehicles. You can also look at your own license — if it has a star in the upper right corner, your state is compliant and your license meets the standard.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.