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ATTN Floridians: Check Your Driver License Before You Fly
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Beginning May 7, 2025, U.S. travelers must be REAL ID compliant to board domestic flights and access certain federal facilities. Find more on REAL ID compliance below or from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security at www.DHS.gov/REAL-ID.
The REAL ID Act, passed by Congress in 2005, enacted the 9/11 Commission’s recommendation that the Federal Government set standards for the issuance of sources of identification, such as a driver's license and an identification card. The Act and implementing regulations establish minimum security standards for license issuance and production and prohibit federal agencies from accepting for certain official purposes a noncompliant driver's license or identification card.
Key Points:
- The official purposes covered by the Act and regulation are:
- Accessing certain federal facilities;
- Boarding Federally regulated commercial aircraft; and
- Entering nuclear power plants.
- The Act’s prohibitions do not affect other uses of driver’s licenses or identification cards unrelated to official purposes as defined in the Act.
NOTE: In accordance with the REAL ID Act, once a customer provides the required identity documents, they will only need to provide them again if their information changes (e.g., name, residential address). After May 7, 2025, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will only accept a driver's license and ID card with a star in the upper right corner as proof of identification at airports. Individuals currently seeking access to military bases and most Federal facilities must present REAL ID-compliant identification. A United States passport may also be used in place of a REAL ID-compliant card for official identification.
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Senator Scott encourages all Floridians to visit his website for information or help with federal agencies. For help with a federal agency, click HERE.
Many Real ID-required documents are issued by state governments, and not a federal agency. Please be aware that our office can assist you only with documents issued by the federal government.
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Q: What is REAL ID?
A: REAL ID is a nationwide effort to improve the integrity and security of a State-issued driver's license and ID card, which in turn will help fight terrorism and reduce identity fraud.
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Q: How do I know if my license or identification card is REAL ID compliant?
A: REAL ID-compliant cards will have a star marking on the upper top portion of the card. If the card does not have a star marking, it is not REAL ID-compliant and won’t be accepted as proof of identity to board commercial aircraft. An Enhanced Driver's License and Enhanced Identification card (EDL/EID) are also acceptable forms of identification and can be used to board commercial aircraft. EDL/EIDs can be identified by having an image of the U.S. flag and the word Enhanced at the top of the card.
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Q: What happens when the REAL ID enforcement date begins?
A: Federal agencies, including DHS and TSA, may only accept a state-issued driver's license and identification card as identification for purposes of accessing federal facilities - including TSA airport security checkpoints - if the license or card was issued by a REAL ID compliant state in accordance with the REAL ID security standards (meaning the license or card must include the REAL ID compliant star marking). An Enhanced Driver's License (EDL) issued by Washington, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, and Vermont are considered acceptable alternatives to REAL ID-compliant cards and will also be accepted for official REAL ID purposes. Most EDLs do not contain the star marking and this is acceptable.
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Q: Is a passport my only other option?
A: No. TSA accepts several other forms of identity documents. For more information on acceptable forms of identification for boarding aircraft, please visit TSA’s website at https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/identification.
Starting May 7, 2025, every state and territory resident will need to present a REAL ID compliant license/ID, or another acceptable form of identification, for accessing federal facilities, entering nuclear power plants, and boarding commercial aircraft. The card, itself, must be REAL ID compliant unless the resident is using an alternative acceptable document such as a passport. The Act does not require individuals to present identification where it is not currently required to access a federal facility (such as to enter the public areas of the Smithsonian) nor does it prohibit an agency from accepting other forms of identity documents (such as a U.S. passport or passport card).
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Q: Will minors need to have driver's licenses/identification cards to fly domestically?
A: No. TSA does not require children under 18 to provide identification when traveling with a companion within the United States. The companion will need acceptable identification.
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Q Does Florida issue REAL ID licenses and ID cards?
A: Yes, Florida began issuing REAL ID licenses and ID cards in January 2010.
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Q: Where can I go to get a REAL ID?
A: Customers must visit an office to become REAL ID compliant for the first time. Visit www.flhsmv.gov/locations to find a driver's license service center or tax collector office near you. We recommend making an appointment prior to your office visit.
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Q: What documents do I need to bring with me when I apply for a REAL ID compliant license or ID card?
You will need to bring one of the following primary documents to establish your identity, proof of legal residence and date of birth: For a detailed list of required items, Visit the FLHSMV What to Bring page.
For U.S. Citizens:
- Valid, unexpired U.S. passport;
- Original or Certified copy of a birth certificate;
- NOTE: Only a birth certificate issued by a county health department or the CDC Bureau of Vital Statistics page will be accepted. Hospital birth certificates are not considered a certified document and will not be accepted.
- Consular Report of Birth Abroad;
- Certificate of Naturalization issued by DHS;
- Certificate of Citizenship;
- For cases where the current name and the name on the primary identity document are different, you should also bring:
- Court ordered name change document;
- Marriage certificate, issued by the courts and/or;
- Divorce decree, issued by the courts.
For Non-Citizens:
- Valid alien registration receipt card (green card, form I-551);
- I-551 stamp in passport or on I-94;
- Immigration judge’s order, containing the customer’s A-number (admissions number), granting asylum with a valid passport;
- I-797, containing the customer’s A-number, stating the customer has been granted asylum with a valid passport; or
- I-797, or another form from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), with the customer’s A-number, stating the customer’s application for refugee status is approved with a valid passport.
- If your name has changed by marriage/divorce, you must have your name changed on your Citizen and Immigration Services (CIS) documents.
Both Citizens and Non-Citizens will need to bring:
- Proof of Social Security. An original of one of the following documents with complete name and complete SSN:
- Social Security card (with the customer’s current name);
- W-2 form (not handwritten);
- Pay check/stub;
- SSA-1099;
- Any 1099 (not handwritten).
- Two documents that show your principal residence.
- NOTE: Customers may not use their current driver license or ID card as proof of residential address. Customers must submit two different documents with their Florida residential address (printouts or faxes of these documents are acceptable). We will no longer accept out-of-state or U.S. territory addresses for applicants obtaining a Florida Class E license or identification card.
- See list of residential address documents HERE.
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Q: Will I still be able to continue to renew my license online?
A: Since January of 2020, customers who are not Real ID compliant have been unable to renew or replace credentials through MyDMV Portal.
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Q: Will I be able to have both a REAL ID driver license and a REAL ID ID card?
A: No, the final Rule specifies that each individual can only hold a REAL ID driver license or a REAL ID ID card, but not both simultaneously. If you currently hold both, one will be cancelled during your next card issuance.
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Q: After Florida begins issuing REAL ID licenses and ID cards, can I get mine before the expiration date on my current license or ID card?
A: Yes, a Class E license can be renewed up to 18 months prior to the card’s expiration date.
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United States Department of Homeland Security
Visit the website https://www.dhs.gov/real-id to learn more about the REAL ID Act and map your path to REAL ID readiness by May 7, 2025.
For more information, please contact the REAL ID Program Office at TSA-ContactCenter@tsa.dhs.gov.
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Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles
Florida began issuing REAL ID compliant credentials in January 2010. The new credentials have a star in the upper right corner of the card, as shown in the sample license example on the right. Florida is a REAL ID compliant state and all Florida licenses should be accepted nationwide.
The Department of Homeland Security announced on December 20, 2013, that enforcement of REAL ID credentials will begin in a measured, fair and responsible way. The chart below summarizes the four phases of enforcement.
| Phase |
Location |
Enforcement Date |
| Phase 1 |
Restricted areas (i.e., areas accessible by agency personnel, contractors, and their guests) for DHS headquarters in Washington. |
April 21, 2014 |
| Phase 2 |
Restricted areas for all Federal facilities and nuclear power plants. |
July 21, 2014 |
| Phase 3 |
Semi-restricted areas (i.e., areas available to the general public but subject to ID-based access control) for most Federal facilities. |
| 3a. Federal Security Levels 1 and 2 |
January 19, 2015 |
| 3b. Federal Security Levels 3, 4, and 5, and military facilities |
October 10, 2015 |
| Phase 4 |
Boarding federally regulated commercial aircraft. A driver's license or ID card from a noncompliant state may only be used in conjunction with a second form of ID for boarding federally regulated commercial aircraft. |
May 7, 2025 |
Click HERE for more information.
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TALLAHASSEE
111 N. Adams Street, Suite 208
Tallahassee, FL 32301
Phone: (850) 942-8415 |
WEST PALM BEACH
415 Clematis Street, Suite 201
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
Phone: (561) 514-0189 |
TAMPA
801 North Florida Avenue, Suite 421
Tampa, FL 33602
Phone: (813) 225-7040 |
KISSIMMEE
1 Courthouse Square, Suite 300
Kissimmee, FL 34741
Phone: (407) 586-7879 |
PENSACOLA
221 Palafox Place, Suite 420
Pensacola, FL 32502
Phone: (850) 760-5151 |
MIAMI
901 Ponce de Leon Blvd., Suite 505
Miami, FL 33134
Phone: (786) 501-7141 |
NAPLES
3299 Tamiami Trail East, #106
Naples, FL 34112
Phone: (239) 231-7890 |
JACKSONVILLE
400 West Bay Street, Suite 289
Jacksonville, FL 32202
Phone: (904) 479-7227 |
ORLANDO
225 East Robinson Street, Suite 410
Orlando, FL 32801
Phone: (407) 872-7161 |
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WASHINGTON, D.C.
110 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
Phone: (202) 224-5274 |
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Fax: (202) 228-4535 |
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