New option available for travelers without REAL ID beginning February 1

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These symbols will identify an ID card as REAL ID-compliant, meaning they can be used to travel via airports. (TSA.com)

SALT LAKE CITY — The Transportation Security Administration announced a new REAL ID policy that will begin Feb. 1. Those who do not have a REAL-ID-compliant card will have an alternative ID option available to them early next year. All passengers who do not present an acceptable form of ID and still want to fly will have the option to pay $45 to use TSA Confirm.ID, a temporary approval for a 10-day travel period. “Identity verification is essential to traveler safety, because it keeps terrorists, criminals, and illegal aliens out of the skies and other domestic transportation systems such as rail,” said Senior Official Performing the Duties of Deputy Administrator for TSA Adam Stahl. “The vast majority of travelers present acceptable identification like REAL IDs and passports, but we must ensure everyone who flies is who they say they are." According to TSA experts, more than 94% of individuals already use their REAL ID or other acceptable forms of identification when traveling.REAL ID, a law signed more than 20 years ago, has been required for air travel since May 7 of 2025. The TSA released a list of acceptable forms of ID:

REAL ID-compliant driver's licenses or other state photo identity cards issued by a Department of Motor Vehicles (or equivalent)
- If you are not sure if your ID complies with REAL ID, check with your state Department of Motor Vehicles.
- A temporary driver’s license is not an acceptable form of identification.
State-issued Enhanced Driver's License (EDL) or Enhanced ID (EID)
U.S. passport
U.S. passport card
DHS trusted traveler cards (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST)
U.S. Department of Defense ID, including IDs issued to dependents
Permanent resident card
Border crossing card
An acceptable photo ID issued by a federally recognized Tribal Nation/Indian Tribe, including Enhanced Tribal Cards (ETCs)
HSPD-12 PIV card
Foreign government-issued passport
Canadian provincial driver's license or Indian and Northern Affairs Canada card
Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC)
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Employment Authorization Card (I-766)
U.S. Merchant Mariner Credential
Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC)

Record breaking travel

TSA reported the 2025 Thanksgiving traveler numbers as their busiest travel day of all time. (TSA, x.com)

This comes a day after the TSA screened more than 3.13 million individuals, breaking the record for the highest number of U.S. travelers in a single day in TSA history. According to the TSA, Sunday's total brings each of the TSA Top 10 busiest days above 3 million travelers.In 2024, Thanksgiving weekend saw 3.08 million travelers screened by the TSA on Dec. 1, marking the third highest travel day in TSA history.