2018 Identification requirements for US air travel (REAL ID)

“A passport, as I'm sure you know, is a document that one shows to government officials whenever one reaches a border between two countries, so that the official can learn who you are, where you were born, and how you look when photographed unflatteringly.” 
~Lemony Snicket

If you're like most people who have flown a few times, you're probably used to showing your driver license when checking in for a flight and going through security. You probably don't even think about it anymore and haven't considered whether your license will be acceptable to board a plane. Well, it's time to think about it.

Beginning January 22, 2018, TSA will no longer accept a passenger’s state issued driver’s license or identification card if the sponsoring state is not in compliance with, or does not have an extension to comply with, REAL ID Act requirements. (See Frequently Asked Questions about REAL ID at https://www.dhs.gov/real-id-public-faqs .)

Starting January 22, 2018, passengers who have driver’s licenses issued by a state that is not yet compliant with REAL ID and that has not received an extension will need to show an alternative form of acceptable identification for domestic air travel. See TSA’s website for a list of acceptable forms of identification (https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/identification).

Passengers who have licenses issued by a state that is compliant or that has an extension to become compliant with REAL ID requirements may continue to use their licenses as usual. For a list of states and their statuses visit DHS’s REAL ID webpage. DHS continually updates this list as more states come into compliance or obtain extensions. (https://www.dhs.gov/current-status-states-territories)

SPECIAL NOTE FOR WISCONSIN: Wisconsin is issuing both REAL ID-compliant and non-compliant driver licenses and ID cards. You make a choice when you apply for or renew your driver license/ID card. If your license or ID card does not have the star indicated in the picture  (outlined with a red box for emphasis), you do NOT have a REAL ID and will need to have an alternative, acceptable form of ID to get on an airplane, starting January 22, 2018.

An actual REAL ID from Wisconsin will NOT have the red box around the star

Starting October 1, 2020, EVERY air traveler will need to present a REAL ID-compliant license or another acceptable form of identification for domestic air travel.