The TSA made it mandatory for passengers to possess a REAL ID during their air travel. The rule went into effect starting this month and has become mandatory for every passenger to follow. A former TSA agent shared a video on TikTok to debunk a “lie” that passengers are being told regarding REAL IDs.
Starting this month, the TSA shared how travellers would not be permitted to board domestic flights without a REAL ID. Passengers were urged to carry a valid ID along with them to avoid delays and additional screening.
The agency declared that it would not be accepting any state-issued ID while identifying passengers at airports. The new rule went into effect immediately on May 7, 2025. Flyers who did not have REAL IDs with them could expect “delays, additional screening, and the possibility of not being permitted into the security checkpoint.”
A former TSA officer posted a video to TikTok regarding a “lie” that passengers are being told, which is now going viral. There was a rumor going around that claimed that the real ID process has now been extended until 2027.
Harmony, whose TikTok ID is travelwiththeharmony, debunked the rumor in his video. The former TSA officer addressed the rumor while calling it “completely false.” The TikToker also had a few tips for someone who doesn’t possess a REAL ID.
The countdown is on! We are two days away from Real ID. To see if your ID is compliant, just look for the star. ⭐ Learn more: https://t.co/Oatb85mm4Y #MIATravelTip pic.twitter.com/hdZcDdPeqe
— Miami Int’l Airport (@iflymia) May 5, 2025
“If you’re someone who doesn’t have a REAL ID, and you’re using an alternative ID like a Global Entry card, or a tribal card, or even an enhanced ID – listen to this,” he began in the video. He pointed out how a lot of travellers are having difficulty and experiencing issues following the rule change.
Harmony reminded people that the process is new to the TSLs as well. He added, “Because of this, some travelers are going through secondary screening, and they really don’t have to.” If you are someone who has an “alternative car,” like a Global Entry card, you are not required to go through a secondary screening.
“Do not waste your time going through all that – you have options,” the former TSA officer noted.
1* A REAL ID is a federally compliant driver’s license or state-issued identification card that meets stricter security standards set by the federal government. It is marked with a star at the top and will be required for boarding domestic flights and pic.twitter.com/yX4DlmxAq0
— AK Poku Law, PLLC (@greencard1awyer) May 14, 2025
For the unversed, a REAL ID is a federally compliant license. It can also be a non-driver ID issued by a state’s Department of Motor Vehicles. The REAL IDs look similar to the state IDs and driver’s licenses but have a star on them, which is gold or black in color. The distinct marking is found on the top-right corner of the ID.
Adam Stahl, who serves as the TSA Senior Official Performing the Duties of the Administrator, noted how crucial the new rule is. “The Real ID requirement bolsters safety by making fraudulent IDs harder to forge,” Stahl said. This would, in turn, help in thwarting criminals and terrorists. The rule went into effect immediately on May 7, 2025.
