Planning to Fly Within the U.S.? Better Check Your Driver’s License
[UPDATED 8/10/18]
According to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), if you’re planning to use your state-issued ID or license to fly within the U.S., it must be REAL ID compliant by October 1st, 2020. Not sure if your ID complies with REAL ID? Go here or check with your state DMV.
Some states are not fully compliant yet. In fact, select states have been given an extension to become compliant before October 10th, 2018. However, extensions are renewable at the discretion of the Secretary provided the state has provided adequate justification for continued noncompliance.
Why the change? The REAL ID Act of 2005 prohibits federal agencies, effective May 11th, 2008, from accepting a state-issued driver’s license or identification card for any official purpose unless the license or card is issued by a State that meets the requirements set forth in the Act.
Should I still get a passport?
Yes. If your state doesn’t become compliant by the deadline, you’ll need to have a backup plan.
Effective January 22nd, 2018, passengers with a driver’s license issued by a state that is still not compliant with the REAL ID Act (and has not been granted an extension) will need to show an alternative form of acceptable identification for domestic air travel to board their flight.
Examples of acceptable forms of identification include a U.S. passport or passport card, U.S. Department of Defense ID, Permanent resident card, Border crossing card, and others listed here.
Plus, your passport will still be required both for overseas/foreign travel, so it’s good to have one anyway. And, if you’re over the age of 16, your passport will remain active for 10 years! (If you’re 15 or younger, your passport remains active for five years.)
Save on passport photos w/ these deals & tips:
CVS Photo: Passport Photos are available at thousands of CVS/Pharmacy locations for just $14.99! Photo technicians will shoot your photo right there in the store and print them according to strict federal regulations. Head here to print a $2 off coupon with your ExtraCare Card.
Walgreens Photo: Get your picture taken and receive two perfectly sized, professional-quality photos printed in compliance with government regulations at Walgreens Photo for just $14.99 – available in one hour or less!
Target: If you already have a digital photo available, you can upload your photo using Target Photo’s passport photo guidelines and they will ship identical copies to you or you can pick up in store! One passport photo order will consist of two (2) identical 2″ x 2″ photos on a 5″ x 7″ sheet for just $12.99.
Walmart: Similar to Target, simply upload a compatible file you have and make any necessary edits you need online. Walmart Photo provides two (2) identical 2″×2″ passport photos on a 4″×6″ sheet starting at $7.44. All 2″×2″ passport photos are printed on Fujifilm Crystal Archive Photo Paper. Once created, the resulting image can be picked up in one hour in your local store.
Costco: If you’re a Costco member, most Costco Photo Centers can deliver a pair of Passport photos while you shop for only $4.99. Head here for more details.
Sam’s Club: Ever needed last minute passport photos for a trip or an important application? Now 1-hour passport photos are available at all Sam’s Club Photo locations and cost just $4.96 for two photos.
Costco does passport photos 4.99!
Came here to say this – love costco
Thanks Rhonda and Lena! Just added this info to the post (as well as Sam’s Club)! 🙂
In addition to the above listed stores, you can get passport photos at Costco for $4.99, ready in ~20 minutes 😉
Thanks!
Check with your local post office too. Some will do passport photos and send off applications for you. If there’s an issue with your photo they’ll redo for free.
I must be psychic. I had a strange dream last night where someone was taking me on a surprise trip and I hoped that it wouldn’t be an international trip because I left my passport at home. I don’t actually have a passport. Weird dream when I woke up, even weirder reading this here.
I love the name you used to post your comment!!!
Call me now! 😁
My husband and I just downloaded a passport photo app, went to walgreens, used the passport backdrop ourselves, and had them printed, and paid like 40 cents. Just a thought.
Yep, I did mine & the kids against the kitchen wall and had them printed for under a $1
Huh, great idea I wish I’d known about last month. We paid too much at the post office to have them taken there.
What is the Passport photo App called if you dont mind me asking?
I’ve used epassportphoto.com. You have to search on the site for the free option button ( don’t choose to have it reviewed) , but I’ve done ones for myself, my husband and infant son following their directions and all have been accepted. I then print at Walgreens for somewhere around $.25 and pick up within the hour. It’s also perfect for babies because I didn’t know how I was going to get a passport photo of my 2mo old, but I just put him on a white pillowcase and stood above him to take the picture. Worked perfectly and didn’t have to drag him anywhere!
I just searched passport photo in iTunes and downloaded the first one. I’d tell you what it was but I deleted it.
Seems to me those ( states need to get with the program and update their licenses to be compliant.
Agreed!
It’s a state right, Feds can’t make them. I live in MT and don’t mind getting a passport. If I remember correctly the states that refused to comply with the real ID took issue with it because of citizen’s personal privacy and some of the information collected… Don’t think it matters either way, but that’s why.
This is true. We just moved from Oklahoma.
I don’t mind it either. Now we have no excuse to travel internationally!
thanks for this info Heather! very interesting
I’m in Oklahoma. I want the option to supply the private info for my driver’s license so that I can save time and money and skip the passport. $10 plus for pictures, $110 for the passport book and then $5 for tracking the postage. But hey, part of our state budget was judged as going against our state constitution. It’s not like we are in a severe budget crisis or anything… *eye roll*
It could always be worse- you could live in IL like me!
that’s bananas.
B-A-N-A-N-A-S!!
If you have a portrait innovations near you they are doing passport photos for free. https://www.portraitinnovations.com/specials/615/free-passport-photos-web
Their fine print is confusing:
“Appointments Highly Recommended. Walk-ins are welcome but may be limited based on availability. No sitting fees. Promotion is not valid for business purposes, individuals 18 or over or unaccompanied minors. Limit one coupon per individual. Offer is subject to change at any time.”
Does that mean it’s only valid for accompanied minors?
I worked at a portrait studio. It a lost leader to get into the studio. When your there they will try to upsell as many pics as possible.!!
I called Portrait Innovations and I was told they only give 2 photos per family.
Yikes
This is awful for the future. Prob means all states will require passports eventually. For US travel? Craziness. The airports are going to be pretty wild with people who don’t know. I hope they do a really good awareness campaign
At this time, at least, it’s actually the opposite.
The other states not listed have already taken steps to ensure that their residents’ forms of identification comply with the Real ID Act. The remaining 9 states opted not to come into compliance with the Real ID requirements, generally due to privacy concerns. So those 9 states could make changes to their forms of state-issued identification so that their residents *wouldn’t* be required to have passports, but the other states are all set. (At least for this particular law).
It’s expensive to get a passport. A lot of people will be affected by this. Crazy!
But really, if you can afford a airline ticket, you should be able to afford a passport that’s slid for 10 years.
That’s not really the point, many of us are here on this site to pinch pennies wherever we can. This seems like an extra cost, the states are the ones that need to comply. And for some people the very last extra dollars could be spent on those tickets, with no money extra left for a passport.
Um $29 flight to see family and to have buy a passport on top of that is what I see the problem being. Imagine for a large family. It will make even a cheap no frills flight not possible for some. But I guess they should just sit at home right?
Kid passports are cheaper
That’s because they are only good for 5 years, not 10 years like adult passports
Children’s passports are no less expensive than adult’s.
Not true…an adult’s is $110, a child’s is $80.
We just got passports for the kids. With all the fees the total cost per kid was $105 and only good for 5years. So technically, it’s more for kids 😝
A number of people travel for medical needs and don’t have the extra money for a passport.
If you can’t afford to get a passport, I don’t think you can afford to fly, don’t you think? Driving is another option, but if you can’t afford the gas, just stay home.
Good to know that those with limited funds shouldn’t be able to fly due to family emergencies. Passports also take a long time to get, making an emergency trip impossible.
Would you say that to someone who has to fly out of state to visit a dying relative or to attend a funeral? Maybe try having some compassion for other human beings.
I think your comment is unnecessarily snarky. Sometimes people with limited income have emergencies.
A passport CARD is $55. It is for travel to Canada and Mexico. A passport BOOK is $135 for world travel
A passport card is only for ground travel to Canada and Mexico. You CANNOT use it for air travel.
Or you can get an Enhanced Drivers License (EDL)
The following US states currently offer EDLs:
Michigan
New York
Vermont
Washington
Applying for an enhanced driver license or enhanced ID is on a voluntary basis.
Requirements vary by state, but in all cases you must be a U.S. citizen and a resident of the state you’re applying in. An EDL generally costs about $30 more than a regular driver’s license, an added bonus, it conveniently fits into the wallet.
To apply, visit your local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) office. In most situations, bring the same identification as you would when applying for a regular driver’s license. Play it safe, however, and call your DMV before visiting for a complete list of needed documents.
YES! This is why I got my EDL in Seattle last year. Added perk, if I drive or take a cruise to Canada, I can use it instead of a passport! 🙂 I hope Collin updates her post… I’d hate for people to do more than they need!
EDL is only good for land and sea travel though, correct?
Yes, I just got my EDL, headed to Canada (don;t need it to get into Canada, just to come back)! It only cost an extra $18 on top of the reg DL fee, but you can do it at any time if your DL is still valid and just pay the $18. Don;t have to go get a pic or anything.
just a heads up that some states have enhanced ids that are NOT real ids.
AAA did ours a few years ago. I believe they did them for free since we have the auto membership.
Yep they are free
They are only free to Plus and Premier members. Classic pays $5/set
Does this include children?
Only if they are traveling alone. I think under 18 is OK without one if they are with a parent who has one.
not if they’re adult companion has the right id
This information about requiring Passports to travel to/from certain states is not accurate. I live in a state that until recently did not comply with the Real ID Act of 2005.
For up to date info visit: https://www.dhs.gov/real-id-public-faqs
I think you misread this. It applies for domestic flights for certain states that didn’t comply with the Real ID Act. You can still cross state lines freely via land!
I agree Rob. I live in WA and have an EDL which is in compliance/a federally approved form of i.d. for air travel.
Thanks – we just updated the post. It appears that all states are compliant or have been given an extension to become compliant before January. If they are not compliant by then, you will need an additional proof of ID, such as a passport.
That’s crazy!
I feel like this is an April Fool’s joke. Sadly, it’s not April. Are you serious? The ONLY reason I don’t have a passport is the cost. For myself, my husband and two children and new baby to have them would be over $500. Yikes.
But they’re valid for 10 years adults and 5 for kids. Divid that and it’s not horrible.
I think it’s a ridiculous amount to have to pay to have to travel within your own country
You can still travel freely, but if you wish to travel on an domestic flight and your state’s ID isn’t compliant, then you have to be able to provide alternative form of acceptable identification to board the flight.
https://www.dhs.gov/real-id-public-faqs
I just read that children under 18 traveling with adults don’t need ID. They never have. So that means only parents need the passport in most situations. Also, I thought Oklahoma got something in place to take them off the list. I’ll have to look further into it.
I have a SC dl and I promise I went through he** getting it. I had to produce the same documents (if not more) than when I had a GA dl.
This DHS page is archived and out of date. Most current information is here: https://www.dhs.gov/real-id
For those complaining about the cost of passports…..you had enough money to buy plane tickets on most likely a very expensive device. I think we should be appreciative that the government is cracki ng down on security.
I do appreciate the extra security…..but this is unnecessarily snarky. Sometimes people have to fly quickly/urgently (funeral, ill family member, etc) and this is a PIA. This is ultimately a stiff *** maneuver between the feds and non-compliant states who aren’t capitulating to the will of the feds. And the citizens of certain states are pinched in the middle.
Its not meant to be snarky. Its the truth. People are complaining about $150. This is for security purposes. I happen to live in one of these non compliant states as a family of 5 on one income. When it comes down to it we need to realize whats important.
It’s actually the opposite. The real ID that these states (including my own) are opting out of is for security purposes. So, we are being asked to fork over 150 dollars because our state doesn’t want to comply with the safety regulations so we have to rely on the federal government for the necessary identification.
Lol really. What if you feel you’ll probably never travel out of the states? That’s 150$ that could’ve gone to another plane ticket or expensive device
I don’t feel like that’s fair, sometimes it’s necessary to travel (visit elderly family members etc.) and flying can be cheaper than other modes of transportation. As for devices, in the modern society most people need some sort of internet to function in society (pay bills etc.), it can come cheap as well. This definitely seems like an extra cost (passport can be over a $100) and seems like the states themselves should make the original ID process such that it can be trusted.
You can get a passport photo for pennies. Search for passport photo app. Print at home.
How much does it cost to obtain a passport these days…..? Also might consider a a FAST card. Like a passport, but just for Mexico and Canada. Might be cheaper?
Believe $150. Takes 6 weeks ( usually comes earlier) or you can pay extra $50? For 3 wks I believe.
We got ours last month. It was $110 for the passport, about $10 for the photo at the post office plus a $25 execution fee. We hadn’t had them before so had to do it in person but we had them in hand 3 weeks later with standard processing. It was a bit painful to cough up $300 at once for both of us but they last 10 years so it’s minimal if you break it down. I like having it so if an opportunity comes up on a good vacation deal we’re ready to go but I was glad we weren’t having to get them for the whole family at once since we have 3 kids. (We’re doing a kid-free trip)
This is all sad! Not everyone can afford to pay for a passport! Can’t imagine how much will a family of 4 or more will pay. People have hard time even getting a State ID or DL! And now passport? Well like someone mention above, some post office will take your pictures too and honestly it has worked for me, since couple of times drugstore pics didn’t meet requirements. Very important passport cards are only to be used on land or sea never to fly!
please read -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.
Not everyone has to use a passport. Only in non-compliant states. People in those states should ask their representatives why they aren’t compliant yet and get on board. They’ve had 12 years so far to do it
If you are a certain level AAA member, the passport photos are FREE!! I have the silver card and I qualified. They provide 2 pictures free of charge 🙂
I only fly internationally, so I always have my passport updated.
AAA does passport photos for free!!! I took mine last year. I didn’t like them so they did them again for me!
They’re probably doing this to get rid of illegal immigrants, making it harder to enter those states… Pretty soon we’ll have this in every state.
This won’t be in every state. In fact, there are a lot of states who are already compliant and whose constituents don’t have anything to worry about. Perhaps people in non-compliant states should contact their representatives to find out why they aren’t compliant yet. They’ve had plenty of time to jump on board
^ What Julie said.
Just a way to charge more money to travel between imaginary lines.
It is actually a way to make sure people who are getting on a domestic flight are who they say they are and adding to security measures.
Exactly! This was enacted after 9/11 – people please read all the links in Collins post. Do your research. Do you really NEED this now? And calm down!
If you are a AAA member, you can get passport photos done free.
THIS POSTING IS INACCURATE.
https://www.dhs.gov/real-id-public-faqs
“Starting January 22, 2018, passengers with a driver’s license issued by a state that is still not compliant with the REAL ID Act (and has not been granted an extension) will need to show an alternative form of acceptable identification for domestic air travel to board their flight. To check whether your state is compliant or has an extension, click here. Passengers with driver’s licenses issued by a state that is compliant with REAL ID (or a state that has been issued an extension) will still be able to use their driver’s licenses or identification cards.”
Currently, every state is Compliant or has been granted an extension (https://www.dhs.gov/real-id).
I believe everyone is good at this point until 2020- when it goes into full effect- since the extensions were granted. Do you agree?
Yes, I believe so.
All these people on here stating that it’s only $150, no big deal, get over it – you should pay for all our passports since you apparently have so much more money than us. Incredible.
Yeah, I find that to be a pretty ridiculous attitude, especially on a page where we’re all here to find out how to save money. If $150 is nothing to them, maybe they should go away and let the rest of us have all the coupons and deals 😉
Read the entire article that she links, a PASSPORT, specifically is NOT required. There are quite a few alternate forms of REAL ID that you can use, it doesn’t HAVE to be a passport. And children under 18 don’t require one if they are travelling with an adult. Also it is only for people who live in these states that are flying out of these states, you don’t have to have one to fly into them.
This list isn’t accurate! A lot of states have been given extensions! I’m sure 99% of the states will be up to code when the time comes. They just like to wait till the very last minute! I’m sure some states will be given more extensions as well! Everyone calm down! lol (and yes I live in a state that is not in compliance right now)
For Washington residents, Bartell Drugs also does passport photos. i think I paid $6 and they did it right in the store – call ahead though. Not all of them do it.
Actually saying- if you can afford an airline ticket you should be able to Afford a passport is way off base…some people save up for MONTHS just to fly and don’t need this added expense! Also some airlines are super discount i.e. Allegiant and you can fly for like $79 sometimes vs $600 on other airlines. Wtf
https://www.dhs.gov/real-id Extension list
Thanks Laura 🙂
You might want to check your library. My local library has a passport center, which is where I got mine a few years ago. They did everything: help fill out form, took my picture, and sent it in for me.
Wow that is awesome!! My library has a lot of great resources but that is amazing!!
you can take your own picture. There are some guidelines you have to follow. This is old news, I live in one of the states and we have been working to get complaint and expect to be by the deadline. It takes some infrastructure changes and that always takes a long time, most of these states are small and/or cash strapped.
Thank you for sharing I had no idea!
You’re welcome!
The term “it is what it is” is true. If you are the lucky people that live in these states you gotta follow the rules. If you are a frequent follower on this site maybe some need to tighten their reins on spending anything on this site at all. I love this site,but rarely buy anything that I do not absolutely need. Just b/c deals are posted every 5 minutes when it becomes a want you need to no longer look. I think our society needs to ask themselves what is truly a need and what is truly a want. So when needs arise like a passport you have the money to get one if you choose to fly.
If you opt in to getting a passport and will not be traveling internationally, i recommend getting the card instead of the book. I paid about $45 for passport cards for both my son and myself a couple years ago.
If you live in one of these states and don’t want to get a passport to fly domestically, write your state government. That way they can raise taxes to pay for the update to Real ID compliancy (it is about the cost, not about privacy). Then everyone in your state, including people who may never fly or who did get a passport, will have to pay for you being in compliance because you don’t want to get a passport.
I suspect most states will become compliant by the deadline BUT I still think that everyone should have a passport, even though it may take time to save up enough for one (or many, if you have a large family, and they may need to be staggered). My coworker plans on buying them for her and her children as their Christmas gifts – no one is getting any other gift. How cool is that, giving your kids a key to the world?!
That’s pretty cool. I thought about asking for that for Christmas.
I called my aaa branch in Maine and she told me it was 7.91, and I have he premier membership. Not sure how to get it for free!
I renewed my IL drivers license a month or so before the new ones came out so I’d imagine my DL won’t be any good either. So something to consider even if you do live in a compliant state.
YOU ACTUALLY CAN USE PASSPORT-CARD TO TRAVEL DOMESTIC. YOU CAN APPLY IT FOR $30 BUT YOU MUST HAVE A PASSPORT BOOK. (KEEP IN MIND THAT PASSPORT CARD IS JUST USED FOR DOMESTIC. AND PASSPORT BOOK IS REQUIRED FOR INTERNATIONAL FLIGHT)
What is so frustrating is that in PA, they are changing our licenses but they STILL won’t be compliant! Why would they design a new system that is not compliant?
We all just got our passports so I guess we’re set!
For those states choosing non-compliance for all residents (even though many would like to comply) because of paranoia of handing over information the state all ready has… here in Arkansas you can choose to supply the extra information to get the enhanced ID or you can choose the paranoid route and keep your standard license and find another way to board a plane. Problem solved.
AAA for free with membership.
Guessing this is fake….