As the May 7, 2025 REAL ID deadline rapidly approaches, travelers seek alternatives to avoid the DMV chaos while ensuring they can still board domestic flights.
Key Insights
- Starting May 7, 2025, anyone 18 or older will need a REAL ID or acceptable alternative to board domestic flights and enter certain federal facilities.
- DMV offices nationwide are experiencing unprecedented congestion with appointment backlogs stretching for months in some areas.
- Passports, passport cards, and Global Entry cards are all TSA-accepted alternatives to a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license.
- Some AAA branches offer REAL ID services to members, providing a convenient alternative to DMV visits.
- The REAL ID requirement stems from post-9/11 security measures to standardize identification and prevent fraud.
DMV Congestion Reaches Critical Levels
With less than a month until the REAL ID compliance deadline, DMV offices across the nation are experiencing overwhelming demand. Wait times have increased dramatically as Americans scramble to upgrade their identification before the May 7, 2025 enforcement date. In response, many states have extended operating hours, opened specialized processing centers, and created online pre-screening options to manage the influx of applicants seeking the star-marked identification.
Some residents report spending hours at DMV offices despite having appointments. “It took like an hour or two, but it was pretty easy,” said Antero Cruz, a California resident who recently obtained his REAL ID. “I brought everything that would prove that I’m a US citizen and my address. I came prepared.” Many others, however, aren’t even aware of the upcoming requirement. When asked about the deadline, traveler Michael Robles admitted, “I didn’t know there’s a [TSA] deadline.”
Alternative Options for Travelers
For those unwilling or unable to endure long DMV waits, several alternatives remain available. A valid U.S. passport or passport card is the most straightforward option, accepted for both domestic and international travel. Global Entry cards, military IDs, and DHS Trusted Traveler cards also meet federal requirements. These alternatives may prove particularly valuable as appointment availability becomes increasingly scarce approaching the deadline.
“Everybody is responsible for presenting the proper travel documents when they come to the checkpoint,” said TSA spokesperson Patricia Mancha. “There’s going to be a phased approach of enforcement, but people may experience travel delays.”
For those who prefer obtaining a REAL ID without braving DMV lines, AAA offers a welcome alternative in many states. “AAA offers DMV services in 22 states, ranging from vehicle registrations, titling, tags, license renewals, issuing new licenses, and/or REAL ID,” confirmed an AAA spokesperson. “In Massachusetts, Rhode Island and New York, DMV/RMV services at AAA branches are free for all AAA members.”
Public Frustration Mounting
The limited appointment availability has sparked growing frustration among Americans, particularly those with upcoming travel plans. New Jersey resident Olivia DeMattio expressed her concerns: “We’re scrambling trying to get an appointment, and if not, we’re going to have to pay a lot to get our passports expedited with no guarantee they’ll be here on time. I’d like to know if the government will pay us back for our trip if they don’t let us on the plane.”
“The government needs to listen to what the people are saying and extend the deadline. There are too many people who are panicking with trip bookings coming up who are being told there’s nothing they can do. Not everyone has a passport in this state that they can use as an alternative,” said Olivia DeMattio.
The REAL ID Act, passed in 2005 as part of post-9/11 security measures, has seen its implementation delayed multiple times. The current May 2025 deadline follows several extensions, most recently pushed back during the pandemic. Despite the delays, TSA reports that only about 81% of travelers currently present compliant identification at checkpoints, indicating that millions of Americans still need to obtain proper documentation.
Planning Ahead Is Critical
For those who still need to obtain a REAL ID, proper documentation is essential. Requirements typically include proof of identity (such as a birth certificate or passport), Social Security number verification, and two documents confirming residency. Those who have changed their name must also provide documentation of the change. Many DMV websites offer document checklists and pre-verification options to streamline the in-person visit.
“We are having a huge issue with the lack of DMV appointments. We have a nonrefundable trip booked for the end of May, and neither of us has valid passports or Real IDs,” DeMattio added, highlighting the predicament many Americans face.
With the deadline less than a month away, the wisest approach is to either secure a DMV appointment well in advance, pursue alternative identification options like passports, or investigate whether your local AAA branch offers REAL ID services. The key is to avoid waiting until the last minute, as appointment availability will only decrease as the deadline approaches. While applications will still be processed after May 7, 2025, those without compliant identification will face significant travel disruptions.
