Real ID exceptions?

[Creeper]

Has anyone had any experience traveling by air without a real ID? The TSA website says you can but you may go through additional screening and you must have an acceptable ID with you. Have you gone through this process by any chance?

My son needs to travel from California to NJ today and he has no real ID. I was just wondering what the process is like for those without ID or if they will let him board at all. The same thing for his return trip.

What a hassle.

 

[BrAinPaiNt]

Has anyone had any experience traveling by air without a real ID? The TSA website says you can but you may go through additional screening and you must have an acceptable ID with you. Have you gone through this process by any chance?

My son needs to travel from California to NJ today and he has no real ID. I was just wondering what the process is like for those without ID or if they will let him board at all. The same thing for his return trip.

What a hassle.

Just noticed this on their web site...

TSA is also accepting the following Digital Identification as a part of our ongoing testing efforts to strengthen identity security:

• Apple Digital ID
• Clear ID
• Google ID pass

I have a VA card but I also have access to the VA and SS sites through a verified process to get an ID Me sign in...not sure if that would work.

Your son is not a vet is he?

 

[VaqueroTD]

I didn't even realize there were still states without it. Feels like I've had one since 9/11. I believe you can pay to expedite the TSA precheck process, not sure if it would help or not. They may even want a Real ID just to be certified.

 

[CyberB0b]

Has anyone had any experience traveling by air without a real ID? The TSA website says you can but you may go through additional screening and you must have an acceptable ID with you. Have you gone through this process by any chance?

My son needs to travel from California to NJ today and he has no real ID. I was just wondering what the process is like for those without ID or if they will let him board at all. The same thing for his return trip.

What a hassle.

I believe he has to pay a fee.

 

[gtb1943]

Has anyone had any experience traveling by air without a real ID? The TSA website says you can but you may go through additional screening and you must have an acceptable ID with you. Have you gone through this process by any chance?

My son needs to travel from California to NJ today and he has no real ID. I was just wondering what the process is like for those without ID or if they will let him board at all. The same thing for his return trip.

What a hassle.

how old is he?

 

[Tabascocat]

A passport is the alternative.

 

[Creeper]

Thanks for the answers. He actually used a 4 year expired passport and they let him board the plane without any problems. He said they were very nice about it and just told him after Feb 1, 2026, there will be a $45 fee for not having Real ID - it is always about money isn't it?

It is amazing to me that state issued driver's licenses with recent photos of the holder are not sufficient to travel domestically. We don't trust state issued IDs anymore? That seems to be a problem that should be handled outside of the consumer.

 

[gtb1943]

Thanks for the answers. He actually used a 4 year expired passport and they let him board the plane without any problems. He said they were very nice about it and just told him after Feb 1, 2026, there will be a $45 fee for not having Real ID - it is always about money isn't it?

It is amazing to me that state issued driver's licenses with recent photos of the holder are not sufficient to travel domestically. We don't trust state issued IDs anymore? That seems to be a problem that should be handled outside of the consumer.

if the state the ID comes from is one that is considered non compliant by the Feds, then its no good to fly

 

[Creeper]

if the state the ID comes from is one that is considered non compliant by the Feds, then its no good to fly

Understood, but I had to produce a birth certificate, and recent photo to obtain my NJ drivers license. Why is that not sufficient to prove my identity at an airport? I believe the reason is the federal government does not trust that states are issuing drivers licenses to the right people or identifying them properly. Isn't that the real problem that they are now solving y making everyone get a more compliant ID? Why not fix the problem with issuing bad drivers licenses?

 

[Denim Chicken]

It is amazing to me that state issued driver's licenses with recent photos of the holder are not sufficient to travel domestically. We don't trust state issued IDs anymore? That seems to be a problem that should be handled outside of the consumer.

It was handled--that is why all states now provide Real ID.