What Happens In Texas If You Don't Get A Real ID By Deadline?

(Texas) - Starting May 7, there’s an important change coming for people in Texas, and we have all the details.

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If you plan to fly on a plane or visit certain government buildings, you’ll need a special kind of federal ID called a REAL ID or another approved form of identification.

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What Is a REAL ID?

A REAL ID is a new type of driver's license or ID card that meets federal security standards. It looks almost the same as a regular ID, but you can tell it's a REAL ID by the gold star in the top right corner.

The U.S. government is requiring this change to help make air travel and federal buildings more secure. These new IDs are harder to fake and help protect everyone’s safety.

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What Happens If You Don’t Get A REAL ID By The Deadline?

If you don’t get a REAL ID by May 7, you won’t be able to use your regular driver’s license to:

Board a flight in Texas or anywhere in the U.S.
Enter secure federal buildings, like military bases or some government offices

But don’t worry, you can still fly if you bring a different federally accepted ID. These include:

A U.S. passport
An Enhanced ID (some states offer these)
A permanent resident card or other approved ID

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What Should You Do Now?

If you want to keep using your Texas driver’s license to fly, you should go to your local DMV and ask for a REAL ID. You’ll need to bring documents that prove:

Who you are (like a birth certificate or passport)
Your Social Security number
That you live in Texas (like a bill or lease with your address)

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Don’t Wait Until the Last Minute

Lines at the DMV might get longer as the deadline gets closer. It’s a good idea to get your REAL ID as soon as possible so you don’t run into any problems when it’s time to travel or visit a government building.

Bottom Line:

Starting May 7, Texans will need a REAL ID, Enhanced ID, passport, or other federally accepted ID to fly or visit secure federal buildings. If you don’t have one, you could be turned away, so get ready now.