What you need to know: Travelers must have valid Real ID driver's license before May 7
Mar 28, 2025
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) — Starting on May 7, travelers nationwide must have a valid driver's license with Real ID to clear TSA and get on a flight, in order to travel within the country.
If you're wondering what makes your driver's license valid, there will be a yellow star in the top right corner
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‘Going to have to have it’: Real ID deadline is two months out
Photo of the Real ID deadline. (KFOR)
Stacey Hamm, the Public Information Officer for the Will Rogers International Airport, says, "It's a new requirement in order to fly domestically."
Below is the full list of acceptable identification if you don't have your Real ID driver's license by the May 7 deadline:
List courtesy TSA.gov
The list includes, but is not limited to, U.S. passports, tribal IDs, permanent resident cards, and Department of Defense (DOD) cards for those in the military or retirees.
All forms of ID must be current and not expired.
Jeffery Spencer is a retired Air Force MSgt. He said he recently ran into problems at the TSA counter using his Department of Defense (DOD) card.
"I'm over 65 and my DOD ID card has an indefinite, which means it does not have an expiration date. And when the TSA went to check it on their computer and their software, it shows that it's expired and all the IDs that you use have to be valid," said Spencer.
Spencer says once a retired veteran reaches age 65, there is no need for the renewal of an indefinite card.
However, Hamm said, "We have been told here in Oklahoma that your military ID is still valid and it will still work and that your tribal ID as well will also work."
News 4 reached out to the state of Oklahoma's TSA spokeswoman about the issue. She said even though a DOD card may be indefinite, there's a possibility it might have to be renewed after so many years.
For non-military travelers, if you don't have your Real ID by the deadline, you can use a current passport to verify your identity.
"If you don't have the real ID and you do have a passport and your driver's license, and your passport is current, then you can utilize both of those. But you would have to bring both documentation with you," Hamm said.
For more information, visit the TSA website here.
The Real ID deadline is May 7, 2025. ...read more read less
