# Flying with a temporary ID? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [November 14, 2004, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flying-with-a-temporary-id/274663 "2004-11-14T04:04:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Hoshiko](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Hoshiko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hoshiko)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2004, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flying-with-a-temporary-id/274663/1 "2004-11-14T04:04:35Z")
I tried searching on TSA’s website but couldn’t find anything about this specifically. I recently renewed my driver’s liscence and got a temporary paper ID. This is my only official form of picture ID, and I’m supposed to be flying home in a week. I’m also waiting for a copy of my birth certificate, but I have various credit cards (including the one that paid for my ticket,) my SS card, and an assortment of library/club cards. Will this be enough for security, or will I need to bring something else? ---
**Author:** ![amarinth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3be4f8/32.png) [@amarinth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amarinth)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2004, 5:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flying-with-a-temporary-id/274663/2 "2004-11-14T05:21:09Z")
I did it earlier this year, they didn’t seem to care. Which was a bit scary, because it looked like something I could have photocopied at Kinkos (In reality, I had just gone to get my license renewed two days earlier. Last time, they gave me the new license at the end of the visit - this time, they mailed it to me. I thought I’d surely have a new license by the time I flew, I was wrong.) Still, I did have the expired license on me, just in case. ---
**Author:** ![Balthisar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/balthisar/32/2825_2.png) [@Balthisar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balthisar)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2004, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flying-with-a-temporary-id/274663/3 "2004-11-14T16:58:30Z")
This reminds me of my Michigan drivers license that I’d renewed when I was stationed in Germany. It was a _permanent_ license – not temporary. Instead of a photo, it bore the words “Valid without photo.” Back then, no one ever complained when I was carded (places like bars and casinos). I wonder if it’d work these days with all the heightened security? ---
**Author:** ![Josh\_dePlume](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Josh\_dePlume](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Josh_dePlume)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2004, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flying-with-a-temporary-id/274663/4 "2004-11-14T17:11:00Z")
I’ve also done this without any problem (post 9/11/01). ---
**Author:** ![Duckster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duckster/32/1244_2.png) [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2004, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flying-with-a-temporary-id/274663/5 "2004-11-14T17:36:43Z")
> [@](#): > > Boarding Pass & ID Required > > To access these new checkpoints you will be required to present a **BOARDING PASS and PHOTO IDENTIFICATION**. Tickets and ticket confirmations (such as a travel agent or airline itineraries) will no longer be accepted at these checkpoints. (Emphasis TSA) Source: [http://www.tsa.gov/public/display?content=090005198004a912](http://www.tsa.gov/public/display?content=090005198004a912) The web page in questions lists those airports where a photo ID is required. Have you thought of contacting TSA? To report specific violations and concerns about security, please contact the TSA-Contact Center. Phone: 1-866-289-9673 Email: [TSA-ContactCenter@dhs.gov](mailto:TSA-ContactCenter@dhs.gov) If you are encountering problems obtaining a boarding pass, please contact the Office of the Ombudsman. Phone: 1-571-227-2383 or 1-877-266-2837 toll-free Email: [TSA.Ombudsman@dhs.gov](mailto:TSA.Ombudsman@dhs.gov) Source: [http://www.tsa.gov/public/contactus](http://www.tsa.gov/public/contactus) ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2004, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flying-with-a-temporary-id/274663/6 "2004-11-14T18:40:36Z")
I don’t have anything to add, just that - you don’t get a new license on the spot when you renew? Or is this through the mail or something? When my license needs renewed, there’s no way to do it but to go down to the DMV, wait in line, and walk out with my new license. ---
**Author:** ![Hoshiko](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Hoshiko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hoshiko)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2004, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flying-with-a-temporary-id/274663/7 "2004-11-14T19:06:44Z")
I tried searching TSA’s website and contacting them via email, but I haven’t recieved a response. I also tried searching the specific airport’s website and contacting them, but all I could find is that they want Photo ID. No clarification about what types of photo ID’s are valid. I’ll try their toll-free number later to be sure, but from the replies here I’m sure it won’t be a problem. > [@Zsofia](#): > > I don’t have anything to add, just that - you don’t get a new license on the spot when you renew? Or is this through the mail or something? When my license needs renewed, there’s no way to do it but to go down to the DMV, wait in line, and walk out with my new license. I went there in person and didn’t recieve one on the spot. They take your picture and give you your temporary ID, then send the real one in a few weeks via mail. They also take your old invalid license. I tried to keep mine in case I ran into problems with the temporary one, but they told me that it’s policy to confiscate the old one, which I understood had to do with preventing fake ID’s. Maybe they don’t have the right equiptment to make a new license there? It was a small DMV location. Thanks for the replies! I really want to avoid holding up security lines and unnecessary cavity searches if at all possible. 😉