Real ID

Beginning May 7, 2025, every air traveler 18 years of age and older will need a REAL ID compliant Driver’s License or Identification card, or another TSA-acceptable form of identification, for domestic air travel and to enter certain federal facilities.

Do I have a choice of Driver's License types?

Yes! You can choose between a Driver’s Privilege Card (DPC) or a REAL ID Driver's License.

The cost to obtain a REAL ID or DPC is the same. Note: Enhanced Driver's License (EDL) is also REAL ID compliant but does have an additional fee.

You DO NOT NEED a REAL ID if:

• You have a valid U.S. passport or passport card; or
• You do not use airplanes as a mode of domestic transportation; or
• You do not visit military bases; or
• You do not visit secure federal facilities.

You NEED a REAL ID if:

• You do not have a valid U.S. passport or passport card; AND
• You use airplanes as a mode of domestic transportation; or
• You visit military bases; or
• You visit secure federal facilities.

Gather Your Documents

Federal regulations require that DMV must verify original versions or certified copies of identity documents for a customer before issuing a REAL ID:

TSA Information on REAL ID Enforcement and Requirements at Airport Security

REAL ID-compliant cards are marked with a star at the top of the card. If you’re unsure, look at your license's upper-righthand corner. If your Vermont license has a circle with a star in it in the upper-righthand corner, it is Real ID compliant.

• Beginning May 7, 2025, every air traveler 18 years of age and older will need a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license, state-issued enhanced driver’s license, or another acceptable form of ID to fly within the United States.

TSA information on acceptable identification is available here

DHS REAL ID brief page is available here

Download the PDF form to your computer and then open it with Adobe Reader

FAQs.

Passed by Congress in 2005, the REAL ID Act enacted the 9/11 Commission's recommendation that the Federal Government “set standards for the issuance of sources of identification, such as driver's licenses.” The Act established minimum security standards for state-issued driver's licenses and identification cards and prohibits Federal agencies from accepting for official purposes licenses and identification cards from states that do not meet these standards. These purposes are:

• Accessing Federal facilities
• Boarding federally regulated commercial aircraft
• Entering nuclear power plants

TSA will NOT accept a Temporary License/ID as a standalone document. It will accept the expiring or expired card with the Temporary License/ID as proof of the renewal. Customers should visit TSA’s website which contains detailed information on the identity documents they will accept: tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/identification

Yes, the Vermont EDL & EID are designated as acceptable border-crossing documents by DHS under the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI). Vermont EDL & EID are acceptable for official Federal purposes (i.e., boarding a commercial aircraft, accessing a federal facility, or entering a nuclear power plant).

If I have temporary lawful status in the United States, will the Driver's License or ID card issued to me be different?

Your card will read “limited term” and the expiration date will coincide with the expiration of valid legal status obtained from documentation provided. If your lawful stay has no defined end or expiration date, you will have the option of choosing a 2 or 4 year card.

No. The Driver's License or ID card remains fully valid for all purposes normally associated with a Driver's License or ID card in the form issued.

A Driver's License or ID card marked “limited term” merely signifies that it is issued to a person who is a foreign national with temporary lawful status in the United States and has a shorter term than a regular Driver's License or ID card.