Michigan officials say more than 150,000 state residents have upgraded their licenses to become "Real ID" compliant ahead of the May 7, 2025 deadline. But with the deadline finally here, some ...

From Feb. 23 to May 17, the Michigan Secretary of State said, workers issued 202,571 real ID-compliant driver’s licenses or state IDs. The week of May 4 was the busiest of the year, with 28,289 ...

The law requiring Real ID for air travel went into effect May 7, 2025. Since May travelers on domestic flights in the U.S. have needed a Real ID-compliant license to pass through airport security.

*The federal REAL ID requirement took effect on May 7, 2025, yet many Michigan residents are discovering their licenses won’t get them through airport security unless they display the gold star.

More: Your guide to Real ID in Michigan: Deadline, how to get it, what it looks like, more The law means certain federal agencies, like the Transportation Security Administration or the Department of ...

A federally approved passport is an acceptable alternative to a Real ID for air travel within the United States. Travelers without a Real ID may undergo additional identity verification by the TSA.

As of May 7, a Real ID-compliant license is needed to fly within the U.S. But you can use other options like a passport or enhanced driver's license.