Plan ahead, get “REAL ID Ready” as federal enforcement date approaches

Officials from the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet and Fort Knox teamed up last month to remind Kentuckians about the soon-approaching REAL ID enforcement date and encourage everyone to plan ahead to be sure they are ready.

Starting May 7, 2025, a standard driver’s license will no longer be accepted for boarding domestic flights or entering certain federal facilities, including military bases.

If you are planning to travel on or soon after May 7 and a REAL ID will allow you to fly. However, if you don’t have a REAL ID, there are other acceptable ID options.

Other federally approved IDs include U.S. passports, passport cards and military IDs. The full list of Transportation Security Administration (TSA) approved credentials is available at https://www.tsa.gov/.

If you don’t have a REAL ID or other federally approved form of ID on or after May 7, 2025, KYTC and TSA warn travelers that they could expect delays and recommend arriving early before flights.

Officials also want to remind Kentuckians that May 7, 2025, is not a deadline.

Kentuckians can still get REAL IDs after May 7 and encouraged to continue to register after this date.

For instance, if you don’t have plans to fly or visit military bases or other federal buildings until later this year, don’t feel obligated to get REAL ID by May 7. Know your needs. Plan ahead and get REAL ID when you need it.

Those wanting to upgrade to a REAL ID driver’s license, permit or ID card, can visit one of the 34 Driver Licensing Regional Offices across the state and present one proof of identity, one proof of social security, and two proofs of residency. While walk-ins are welcome, scheduling an appointment ahead is encouraged. Kentuckians can schedule appointments and verify they have the required documents on realidky.com.

Kentucky residents can renew their license up to six months before the expiration date. After the enforcement date, a standard-issue driver’s license will continue to be valid for driving and can be used as proof of identity, age, and residence for voting and age-restricted purchases, such as buying alcohol. Additionally, it will remain acceptable for accessing federal facilities, including Social Security offices and Veterans Administration hospitals. A Kentucky REAL ID is not valid for international travel.

Kentuckians are encouraged to check their ID now, including the expiration date, and determine what works best for them to meet the new requirements by May 7, 2025. A list of regional offices is available here. Use the IDocument Quiz and review list of valid documents to prepare for a Real ID appointment.