TSA will accept an expired driver's license at airport security, but only if the expiration happened within the last five years

The Transportation Security Administration does not reject expired licenses outright. If your driver's license expired fewer than five years ago, TSA officers will accept it as valid identification at the checkpoint. The five-year window is TSA's own rule, separate from your state's rules about whether you can legally drive with that license.

If your license expired more than five years ago, TSA will not accept it as your primary form of identification. You will need to bring a different acceptable ID — a passport, passport card, military ID, or one of several other documents TSA lists on its website. The expiration date on the ID itself is what matters; TSA does not care whether you have renewed it since then.

This rule applies whether you are flying domestically or internationally, though international travel has its own separate requirements (your passport must be valid for the duration of your trip, typically six months beyond your return date).

Key Takeaways

  • TSA accepts driver's licenses that expired within the last five years; anything older than that requires a different ID.
  • The five-year window is TSA's rule and does not match your state's driving laws — an expired license may still be unacceptable to drive a car.
  • If your license is too old, bring a passport, passport card, military ID, or Enhanced Driver's License instead.
  • You can renew your license before your trip, but you do not have to if it is within the five-year window.

What counts as acceptable ID if your license is too old

TSA maintains a full list of acceptable identification documents on its website, but the most common alternatives to an expired driver's license are a passport book, a passport card, a military ID, or an Enhanced Driver's License (which some states issue and which has a different expiration rule). A Real ID-compliant driver's license counts as acceptable ID regardless of expiration, as long as it is within the five-year window.

If you do not have any of these, TSA can still screen you — but the process takes longer. You will go through additional questioning and physical screening at the checkpoint. This is not a barrier to flying, but it adds 15 to 30 minutes to your security process. You will need to answer questions about your identity and travel plans, and TSA may ask to see other documents like a credit card or boarding pass with your name on it.

How to check your license expiration date before you travel

Look at the front of your driver's license for the expiration date. It is usually printed in the lower right corner or bottom center, depending on your state's format. The date will be written as a month and year — for example, 06/2029 or June 2029.

Count backward from today's date to see whether your license is within five years of expiration. If you are unsure, subtract five years from today's date and compare. For example, if today is March 2024, five years ago was March 2019 — so any license that expired on or after March 2019 is still acceptable to TSA.

If your license is close to the five-year cutoff, bring a second form of ID anyway. TSA officers have discretion, and while the five-year rule is standard, having a backup prevents delays if an officer interprets the rule differently or if there is any question about the date.

Renewing your license before your flight

You do not have to renew your license before flying if it is within the five-year window. However, if you are planning to renew it anyway — because you want to drive legally, or because your state requires it — you can do so before your trip. Most states allow you to renew online, by mail, or in person at the DMV, and processing times vary from a few days to several weeks depending on your state and method.

If you choose to renew before flying, bring both your old and new license to the airport. TSA will accept either one as long as it meets the five-year rule. A new license gives you peace of mind and extends your ID's validity, but it is not necessary for TSA purposes if your current license is still within the acceptable window.

What happens if you arrive at security without acceptable ID

If you reach the TSA checkpoint without any acceptable identification, you will not be turned away. Instead, TSA will conduct additional screening. You will be asked to provide information about yourself — your name, date of birth, address — and TSA may ask to see other documents that help verify your identity, such as a credit card, a boarding pass, or a Social Security card.

This secondary screening process takes longer than normal checkpoint screening, typically 15 to 30 minutes. You will still be able to fly; the extra time is the main consequence. To avoid this delay, bring your expired license along with any other ID you have, even if it is expired or not primarily used for travel.

Real ID compliance and expiration dates

Real ID is a federal security standard that some states have incorporated into their driver's licenses. A Real ID-compliant license has a star or other marking on it and is accepted by TSA for domestic flights. The expiration date on a Real ID license follows the same five-year rule as a standard driver's license — TSA will accept it if it expired within the last five years.

Real ID compliance does not change the expiration rule or give you extra time. The benefit of Real ID is that it meets federal standards for entering federal buildings and military bases, not that it extends your TSA acceptance window. If you have a Real ID license and it is expired, the same five-year window applies.

International travel with an expired license

For international flights, TSA will still accept your expired driver's license at the U.S. airport checkpoint if it is within five years of expiration. However, the country you are traveling to may have its own rules about what identification you need to enter. Most countries require a valid passport, and some require that your passport be valid for at least six months beyond your return date.

Check the entry requirements for your destination country before you book your flight. Your driver's license — expired or not — will not be sufficient for international travel even if TSA accepts it at the U.S. checkpoint. You will need a passport or passport card.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I fly if my license expired more than five years ago?

Yes, but you will need a different form of ID. TSA will not accept a license that expired more than five years ago as your primary identification. Bring a passport, passport card, military ID, or Enhanced Driver's License instead. If you have none of these, TSA can still screen you, but it will take longer.

Do I need to renew my license before flying if it is expired but within five years?

No. TSA will accept it as is. You only need to renew if you want to drive legally or if your state requires renewal. Renewing before your trip is optional for TSA purposes.

What if I lost my ID and only have an expired license?

Bring the expired license to the airport along with any other documents that show your name — a credit card, Social Security card, or birth certificate. TSA will conduct additional screening, but you can still fly. The process takes longer, usually 15 to 30 minutes.

Does TSA accept expired passports?

No. TSA requires passports to be valid (not expired). A driver's license has a five-year grace period after expiration, but passports do not. If your passport is expired, you will need a different form of ID, such as a valid driver's license or military ID.

Will my expired license work for international flights?

TSA will accept it at the U.S. checkpoint if it expired within five years. However, the country you are visiting may not accept an expired license for entry. You will need a valid passport to enter most countries, regardless of what TSA accepts.