SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — After 20 years of delays, the REAL ID law will finally take effect in May 2025, adding new requirements to fly domestically or enter federal buildings.  Soon, your old license or ID alone won’t get you through security once the new federal policy takes off. The law introduces new requirements, like having applicants provide proof of identity and social security number.  In a press release Friday, TSA announced full enforcement will begin May 7, warning that travelers with non-compliant IDs will "face delays, additional screening, and the possibility of not being permitted into the security checkpoint." Jaime Garza with the California Department of Motor Vehicles said not everyone needs to rush for a REAL ID. “If you really need to upgrade to a REAL ID right away, but you already have a federally approved document like a valid passport or a permanent resident card, then we’re going to recommend that you use those documents and then wait to upgrade to a REAL ID when your driver’s license is up for renewal.”  Some San Diego County DMV offices to open early to handle REAL ID appointments Data from the U.S. State Department last year shows about half of the U.S. population -- 170 million people -- don’t have passports. Some who do, still aren’t waiting for a REAL ID. "I also don’t want to have to use my passport whenever I go back to Massachusetts or go visit friends in any other states, what if I lose it? That could cost me a lot more in the long run," said Maira Barrera. The DMV is seeing a recent increase in the number of people wanting to upgrade. “We anticipated this would happen and that’s why we’ve taken steps to address it by extending hours at 18 offices across the state," said Jaime Garza. That includes offices in Clairemont, San Marcos, El Cajon, and Poway, which will open an hour early from April 14 to June 27 on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. to process REAL ID applications for people with an appointment.  The REAL ID deadline is approaching. Here’s what Californians need to know For one first-time driver FOX5/KUSI spoke with, getting it out of the way made sense. "I thought I'd get two birds in one stone, and I do travel a lot and I’m about to move for college, so I thought I’d get REAL ID," said Gaspard Bason. If your driver’s license or ID card has a gold bear and a star in the upper right-hand corner of the card -- you’re set. “Start your application online, upload your documents, schedule an appointment. It's going to help reduce all of those wait times," said Garza. To apply for a REAL ID, Californians should visit REALID.dmv.ca.gov, fill out the online application and upload their documents. Customers must visit a DMV office and bring their uploaded documents to complete the application. ...read more read less