VIRGINIA, USA — Virginia travelers will now have to have a REAL ID to board an airplane starting May 2025.
Virginia travelers must have an ID-compliant driver's license to board a domestic flight. The driver's license must have a small star in the upper right corner to indicate they meet federal regulations that establish minimum security standards. Regular IDs without the star will not be valid to board an airplane.
The REAL ID goes into effect on May 7, 2025.
“REAL ID is a coordinated effort by the federal government to improve the reliability and accuracy of driver licenses and identification cards,” said Robin “Chuck” Burke with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). The improvements are intended to inhibit terrorists’ ability to evade detection by using fraudulent identification.”
To get a REAL ID star, visit any local Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles office in person and bring one proof of identity (passport or U.S. birth certificate), proof of legal presence for non-U.S. citizens, two proofs of Virginia residency, your social security card (if you’ve been issued one) and a current driver’s license if you are applying to exchange one issued by another U.S. state.
For more information and details about how to obtain a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or identification card in Virginia, visit the Virginia’s Department of Motor Vehicles website.
