# Deadline for Real ID for air travel pushed back until May 3, 2023: upd to May 7, 2025 **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 27, 2021, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deadline-for-real-id-for-air-travel-pushed-back-until-may-3-2023-upd-to-may-7-2025/940875 "2021-04-27T19:05:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2025, 12:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deadline-for-real-id-for-air-travel-pushed-back-until-may-3-2023-upd-to-may-7-2025/940875/61 "2025-04-10T12:56:43Z")
Okay, but that’s weird. ---
**Author:** ![Jasmine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jasmine/32/2964_2.png) [@Jasmine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasmine)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2025, 12:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deadline-for-real-id-for-air-travel-pushed-back-until-may-3-2023-upd-to-may-7-2025/940875/62 "2025-04-10T12:57:09Z")
Yes, it is. Welcome to Illinois. LOL ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2025, 12:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deadline-for-real-id-for-air-travel-pushed-back-until-may-3-2023-upd-to-may-7-2025/940875/63 "2025-04-10T12:58:05Z")
Ah, I get it, so what happens is that your _driving license_ is NOT _itself_ Real-ID compliant. As opposed to Dewey’s and mine, which are. ---
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2025, 12:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deadline-for-real-id-for-air-travel-pushed-back-until-may-3-2023-upd-to-may-7-2025/940875/64 "2025-04-10T12:59:17Z")
REAL ID-compliant licenses typically feature a gold star in the upper-right corner of the card. This is the most common indicator used across states. So Jasmine must live in a state which does it differently. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2025, 1:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deadline-for-real-id-for-air-travel-pushed-back-until-may-3-2023-upd-to-may-7-2025/940875/65 "2025-04-10T13:00:13Z")
This [page](https://realid.ilsos.gov/) shows both a non-RealID Illinois driver’s license and one that is RealID compliant. The only difference is a star in the upper right corner. Both say DRIVER’S LICENSE at the top. What does yours say? ---
**Author:** ![doreen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/858c86/32.png) [@doreen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doreen)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2025, 1:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deadline-for-real-id-for-air-travel-pushed-back-until-may-3-2023-upd-to-may-7-2025/940875/66 "2025-04-10T13:04:33Z")
I am not going to say you weren’t told that- but apparently whoever told you that didn’t know what they were talking about or didn’t understand what you were asking. From the [Illinois Secretary of State](https://realid.ilsos.gov/) > A REAL ID is a driver’s license or ID card that is also a federally accepted form of identification. REAL ID cards have a star in the upper-right hand corner-right corner. > - The cost of a REAL ID driver’s license or ID card is the same as the traditional license or ID card, and the process to get one is similar. > - You can get either a REAL ID driver’s license or an ID card, but you can’t hold both. In fact, it appears that just like in most other states, you can have an ID card or a driver’s license but not both. Oh, and it wouldn’t be a state agency that has to accept it for travel - that would be the TSA so Illinois’ position doesn’t matter. ---
**Author:** ![Jasmine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jasmine/32/2964_2.png) [@Jasmine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasmine)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2025, 1:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deadline-for-real-id-for-air-travel-pushed-back-until-may-3-2023-upd-to-may-7-2025/940875/67 "2025-04-10T13:18:52Z")
> [@PastTense](#): > > REAL ID-compliant licenses typically feature a gold star in the upper-right corner of the card. This is the most common indicator used across states. So Jasmine must live in a state which does it differently. No, Jasmine DOES have the gold star in the upper right-hand corner! In addition, even though one card says “Driver’s License” and the other “Identification Card”, and even though they both have different expiration dates, the Real ID shows a “License number” that is totally different from the driver’s license number I have always had on my driver’s license. So, what the heck, do I have the equivalent of TWO driver’s licenses now?! Also, and if so, which renewal date is valid? I try not to be rude to people, especially people whose help I need, but I’d be tempted to ask, “Do you know what you’re doing?” It reminds me of an old movie. [**Excuse me captain, but do you know to fly?**](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EHVroc6VlTU) ---
**Author:** ![doreen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/858c86/32.png) [@doreen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doreen)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2025, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deadline-for-real-id-for-air-travel-pushed-back-until-may-3-2023-upd-to-may-7-2025/940875/68 "2025-04-10T13:23:09Z")
> [@Jasmine](#): > > So, what the heck, do I have the equivalent of TWO driver’s licenses now?! Also, and if so, which renewal date is valid? Can you look up info about your license/ID on a website - because I’d be afraid that getting the ID would have automatically cancelled my license (assuming you had the license first) ---
**Author:** ![Jasmine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jasmine/32/2964_2.png) [@Jasmine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasmine)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2025, 1:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deadline-for-real-id-for-air-travel-pushed-back-until-may-3-2023-upd-to-may-7-2025/940875/69 "2025-04-10T13:32:54Z")
> [@doreen](#): > > because I’d be afraid that getting the ID would have automatically cancelled my license I think you’re right because that’s government. Even though all of the confusion is THEIR fault, they’ll say it’s MY fault that I’m confused. I carry both in any event, just to cover my bases. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2025, 1:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deadline-for-real-id-for-air-travel-pushed-back-until-may-3-2023-upd-to-may-7-2025/940875/70 "2025-04-10T13:34:17Z")
What you are describing doesn’t sound right. I got a Real ID here in Illinois, as did most my family, and it is just a regular drivers license with a gold star on it. That’s it. I believe you were misinformed. (I got mine a couple years back when I needed to renew my drivers license anyway. I also have a passport card in addition to a passport, so that’s always backup should I need it.) ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2025, 1:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deadline-for-real-id-for-air-travel-pushed-back-until-may-3-2023-upd-to-may-7-2025/940875/71 "2025-04-10T13:42:58Z")
> [@Jasmine](#): > > In addition, even though one card says “Driver’s License” and the other “Identification Card”, and even though they both have different expiration dates, the Real ID shows a “License number” that is totally different from the driver’s license number I have always had on my driver’s license. If the new ID says Identification Card, then yes, it’s not a driver’s license. I don’t know what the form that you filled out says, but did you perhaps request a state identification card and _not_ a driver’s licence? ---
**Author:** ![Jasmine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jasmine/32/2964_2.png) [@Jasmine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasmine)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2025, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deadline-for-real-id-for-air-travel-pushed-back-until-may-3-2023-upd-to-may-7-2025/940875/72 "2025-04-10T13:44:37Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > but did you perhaps request a state identification card and _not_ a driver’s licence? Exactly. I told them I already have a driver’s license, and that I wanted to satisfy the government requirements for a Real ID. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2025, 1:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deadline-for-real-id-for-air-travel-pushed-back-until-may-3-2023-upd-to-may-7-2025/940875/73 "2025-04-10T13:46:06Z")
Then go back and tell them you want a Real ID driver’s license. ---
**Author:** ![doreen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/858c86/32.png) [@doreen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doreen)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2025, 1:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deadline-for-real-id-for-air-travel-pushed-back-until-may-3-2023-upd-to-may-7-2025/940875/74 "2025-04-10T13:46:21Z")
I would check - because if your driver’s license was cancelled then you aren’t allowed to drive even if you do have the physical card. ---
**Author:** ![chela](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chela/32/21582_2.png) [@chela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chela)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2025, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deadline-for-real-id-for-air-travel-pushed-back-until-may-3-2023-upd-to-may-7-2025/940875/75 "2025-04-10T13:57:48Z")
I’m in Michigan and I wanted to visit Canada last year. My passport is expired but I have a RID designated drivers license. I learned that my RID with the gold star in upper rh corner would not be accepted at the border. However if I got an Enhanced Driverd license I’d be allowed to drive across the border to Canada and Mexico and cruise on it to the Caribbean. It does not allow me to fly to foreign countries. Just drive or cruise. Of course it also satisfies real ID requirements for travel within the US So I got the Enhanced DL. It has a gold star within the outline of Michigan, a USA flag, a background of the Great Lakes and my birth date is prominently displayed on the bottom. IIRC only a handful of US states offer the enhanced ID. And that’s what I used to cross into Canada my enhanced DL. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2025, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deadline-for-real-id-for-air-travel-pushed-back-until-may-3-2023-upd-to-may-7-2025/940875/76 "2025-04-10T13:57:56Z")
Yeah, the Illinois ID cards look just like the drivers license, so that tracks. But you could have just gotten a new DL with Real ID, which is what myself and my friends/family did. ETA: in re: enhanced ID, those are just, I believe, available in some states that border Canada. Looks like Washington, Minnesota, Michigan, New York, and Vermont. ---
**Author:** ![chela](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chela/32/21582_2.png) [@chela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chela)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2025, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deadline-for-real-id-for-air-travel-pushed-back-until-may-3-2023-upd-to-may-7-2025/940875/77 "2025-04-10T14:16:42Z")
Interesting, makes me wonder about Alaska, guess not too many people want to drive across the border all the way to the US mainland Also curious what makes the participating states special enough to offer EDL. Why not Az or Texas too? I still need update my passport though. ---
**Author:** ![doreen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/858c86/32.png) [@doreen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doreen)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2025, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deadline-for-real-id-for-air-travel-pushed-back-until-may-3-2023-upd-to-may-7-2025/940875/78 "2025-04-10T14:53:15Z")
> [@chela](#): > > Interesting, makes me wonder about Alaska, guess not too many people want to drive across the border all the way to the US mainland They wouldn’t have to drive to the mainland - they could use it to drive into Canada. But the impression I got is that most Alaskans couldn’t drive to Canada because of the road system even if they had enhanced licenses. I don’t think anything makes those particular border states “special enough” - it’s possible that only border states can issue them but it’s also definitely up to the states so that Texas can just choose not to. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2025, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deadline-for-real-id-for-air-travel-pushed-back-until-may-3-2023-upd-to-may-7-2025/940875/79 "2025-04-10T15:02:58Z")
It might be a Canada thing which is why the Mexico border states don’t have it ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2025, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deadline-for-real-id-for-air-travel-pushed-back-until-may-3-2023-upd-to-may-7-2025/940875/80 "2025-04-10T15:05:53Z")
> [@PastTense](#): > > REAL ID-compliant licenses typically feature a gold star in the upper-right corner of the card. If anyone cares, the Washington “Enhanced Driver’s License” does not have the star. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deadline-for-real-id-for-air-travel-pushed-back-until-may-3-2023-upd-to-may-7-2025/940875.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deadline-for-real-id-for-air-travel-pushed-back-until-may-3-2023-upd-to-may-7-2025/940875.md?page=5)