Starting Oct. 1, 2021, the REAL ID Act takes effect in the United States and requires that all domestic U.S. travelers ages 18 and up possess a REAL ID-compliant card issued by their State's driver's licensing agency or an acceptable alternative in order to fly on commercial aircraft.
Acceptable alternatives include U.S. passports, as well as Enhanced Driver's Licenses (EDLs) issued by Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Vermont and Washington.
Children under 18 will be exempt from this new requirement — if they're traveling with an adult who has acceptable identification.
Enhanced Driver's Licenses (EDL) issued by Washington, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, and Vermont are considered acceptable alternatives to REAL ID-compliant cards and will also be accepted for official REAL ID purposes.
REAL ID-compliant cards will have of one of the following markings on the upper top portion of the card. If your driver's license or state-issued ID does not have one of these markings, it is not REAL ID-compliant and won't be accepted as proof of identity in order to board commercial aircraft after October 1, 2020.
How do I get a REAL ID?
As of September 5, 2019, all 50 states and territories are fully compliant with the REAL ID requirements. Visit your State's driver's licensing agency website to find out exactly what documentation is required to obtain a REAL ID.
When does the REAL ID check go into effect?
The final enforcement deadline is October 1, 2020. By this date, individuals planning to travel on any local US commercial airline must have visited their State's driver's licensing agency and obtained a REAL ID compliant ID card, or have on them an acceptable alternative such as a U.S. passport.
International Travelers to Las Vegas
If you're traveling to Las Vegas from anywhere outside the United States, a REAL ID-compliant ID card is not required, but you will need a passport and depending on where you're coming from, you might need a visa also.
| Departing City | Flight Time | Departing City | Flight Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta | 3.5 hours | Minneapolis | 3 hours |
| Boston | 6 hours | New York City | 5.5 hours |
| Chicago | 3.5 hours | Orlando | 4.5 hours |
| Dallas/Ft. Worth | 2.5 hours | Philadelphia | 5.5 hours |
| Denver | 1.5 hours | Phoenix | 1 hour |
| Detroit | 5 hours | San Diego | 1 hour |
| Honolulu | 5.5 hours | San Francisco | 1.5 hours |
| Houston | 4 hours | Seattle | 2.25 hours |
| Los Angeles | 1 hour | Washington D.C. | 5 hours |
| Miami | 5.5 hours |
