Quick. Look at your Connecticut driver’s license! If you don’t see a gold star in the upper right corner, you’ll soon be unable to use that as ID to fly.
By May 7, 2025, the familiar dance at airport security will change for Connecticut residents. That’s when the long-delayed Real ID re
quirement takes effect, and if you’re still flashing a standard driver’s license (without the gold star), you may find yourself grounded — literally.
After years of extensions and bureaucratic back-and-forth, the Real ID Act is finally becoming reality, and now is the time to (finally) make sure you’re ready.
The Real ID Act isn’t new. It was passed by Congress in 2005, in the wake of 9/11, to establish more secure standards for state-issued identification. The goal? To prevent fraud and enhance national security by tightening documentation requirements for driver’s licenses and ID cards used to board domestic flights or enter federal buildings. The intent was clear, but the rollout has been anything but swift. Many states pushed back, citing logistical challenges, and the federal government granted multiple extensions — COVID-19 being the most recent cause for delay. But those grace periods are ending.
The Connecticut DMV started offering the REAL ID verification way back in October 2011. As of this January, the TSA said Connecticut had 70% of residents with REAL IDs. Compare that to Florida (98%) or Kentucky (32%).
If you plan to board a domestic flight or enter a federal building after May 7, 2025, you’ll need a Real ID-compliant license or an acceptable alternative like a passport. Fortunately, the Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) has made the process fairly straightforward — but it does require a bit of prep.
To upgrade to a Real ID, you’ll need to visit a DMV office in person. Bring with you: one form of identity (like a valid U.S. passport or birth certificate), proof of Social Security (such as a Social Security card or W-2), and two pieces of mail proving Connecticut residency (maybe a utility bill or bank statement). If your name has changed due to marriage or divorce, bring the legal documentation to prove that. These requirements may sound excessive, but that’s the point — this ID is meant to be ironclad.
Appointments are required, and they fill up fast, so don’t wait until the last minute. You can schedule your time online at ct.gov/dmv by selecting “Make an Appointment” under the Real ID section. Some AAA locations also offer Real ID services, which can be a less stressful alternative to the main DMV offices. Call ahead.
If you have all the right paperwork, the whole process takes about five minutes and your new “gold star” license will arrive by mail in a few days. Assuming your drivers license is still current, the Real ID update will cost $30.
Bottom line: May 2025 may feel far away, but in DMV time, it’s tomorrow. The security line at your favorite airport will be moving with or without you — so make sure you’ve got the Real ID when the TSA agent asks for it.
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