Photo: Oregon Department of Transportation, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
If you are getting your first US permit or driver’s license, you can usually ask for it to be issued as a REAL ID at the same visit. You just bring the extra documents. REAL ID enforcement began on May 7, 2025. Since then you need a REAL ID or another accepted ID, such as a passport, to board domestic flights and enter certain federal facilities. This checklist covers what to bring to the DMV and when a REAL ID is worth it.
Key facts
- Enforcement began May 7, 2025 (TSA).
- A REAL ID-compliant card has a star (and/or flag) marking. An Enhanced Driver’s License, marked “Enhanced”, also counts.
- All states, DC and the five territories issue REAL ID-compliant licenses and IDs.
- Federal minimum documents: full legal name, date of birth, Social Security number, two proofs of address and lawful status. States can ask for more.
- TSA does not require children under 18 to show ID on domestic flights. Airlines may have their own rules.
- REAL ID is not required to drive. A standard license is still a valid driver’s license.
REAL ID document checklist for your first license
The federal rules set a minimum, and each state publishes its own accepted-document list. California’s REAL ID checklist is used below as a worked example. Check your own state’s list before you go.
- Proof of identity, date of birth and lawful status. California example: a valid US passport or passport card, or an original or certified copy of a US birth certificate from a vital statistics office (“abbreviated” or “abstract” certificates are not accepted). A Permanent Resident Card or a foreign passport with a valid US visa and the right documents also work.
- Social Security number. Federal law now only requires the state to collect your number and verify it with the Social Security Administration. Some states still ask for a document, so check.
- Two proofs of address. California wants two different printed documents with your name and the same address as your application, for example a home utility or cell phone bill, bank records, insurance documents, a rental agreement or school documents.
- If you are under 18 and nothing is in your name. In California, a minor can use a residency document in a parent’s name plus a document showing the relationship, such as a birth certificate. Other states have similar options.
- Name change proof, if your current name differs from your identity document. TSA calls this “name traceability”. California accepts documents such as a marriage certificate or a court order.
- The usual permit or license items. Application, fee, and for under-18s a parent or guardian signature. Some states also ask for school enrollment or driver education paperwork.
Do you need a REAL ID?
| You want to | REAL ID needed? |
|---|---|
| Drive | No. Any valid license works. |
| Fly within the US (18 and over) | Yes, unless you show another accepted ID such as a US passport |
| Fly within the US (under 18) | No ID required by TSA |
| Enter certain federal facilities or a nuclear power plant | Yes, or another accepted ID |
| Do things that never needed ID | No. The REAL ID Act does not add ID requirements where none existed. |
TSA says travelers without an acceptable ID face a $45 fee (TSA ConfirmID). If you already have a valid passport and do not mind carrying it to the airport, a standard license may be enough for you.
Enhanced Driver’s Licenses
TSA lists Enhanced Driver’s Licenses from Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Vermont and Washington as acceptable alternatives to REAL ID for official federal purposes, including flights. They are optional, and the documents and fees differ from a standard REAL ID.
Tips to avoid a wasted DMV trip
- Use your state’s online document checklist, if it has one, before you book.
- Make sure your name and address match across documents, or bring the documents that link them.
- Bring a spare proof of address in case one is not accepted.
- Book the permit test or road test separately if your state requires an appointment.
Common questions
Can I get a REAL ID learner’s permit?
That depends on the state. Many issue the permit as a card that can be REAL ID-compliant if you bring the documents. Ask your DMV.
How do I know if my license is a REAL ID?
Look for a star or flag marking in the corner, or the word “Enhanced”.
Does my teen need a REAL ID to fly with us?
No. TSA does not require ID from travelers under 18 on domestic flights. Check your airline’s rules.
Is REAL ID mandatory?
No. It is only needed for flights, federal facilities and nuclear plants, and a passport also works for those.
I am moving to a new state. Do I need to bring the documents again?
Usually yes, because each state issues its own card. See moving to a new state.
Can I use my foreign passport?
Non-citizens apply with their passport and immigration documents. If you already drive on a foreign license, see driving in the US on a foreign license.
State examples: California instruction permit, Georgia instructional permit at 15, Illinois instruction permit at 15. All states: learning to drive in the USA.
Sources
- Transportation Security Administration, “REAL ID” (tsa.gov; dhs.gov/real-id redirects here)
- Transportation Security Administration, “REAL ID Frequently Asked Questions” and “Are You REAL ID Ready?” (tsa.gov)
- California DMV, “REAL ID Checklist” (dmv.ca.gov)