Travelers brace for airport chaos, TSA confusion as REAL ID deadline arrives

Travelers are bracing for chaos when the new REAL ID restrictions are finally enforced Wednesday — with major airports prepping for widespread confusion and Americans scrambling to get their hands on compliant identification before jetting off.

Starting from May 7, the Transportation Security Administration will no longer accept state-issued driver’s licenses or identification cards that aren’t “REAL ID” compliant when boarding domestic flights in the United States.

In preparation for the rollout, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has been warning for months that travelers could be denied access to flights if they don’t have the enhanced IDs, which — in most states — features a star or flag symbol in the top corner of the card.

Starting from May 7, the Transportation Security Administration will no longer be accepting state-issued license or identification cards that aren’t “REAL ID” compliant. Luiz C. Ribeiro for New York Post

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem acknowledged Tuesday, though, that air travelers who still lack appropriate IDs will still be able to fly — for now — but they should prep for enhanced security procedures at airports across the country.

“If it’s not compliant, they may be diverted to a different line, have an extra step, but people will be allowed to fly,” Noem told a US House hearing on the eve of the deadline. 

Noem noted that security checkpoints would also be accepting passports and tribal identification when the deadline hits Wednesday — and that 81% of travelers already have IDs that comply with the REAL ID requirements.

She vowed, too, that they would be working to ensure the rollout is as “seamless as possible” just as the summer travel season starts to take off.

TSA insisted there were plans in place to offset any potential confusion with the new rules.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said travelers should prep for enhanced security procedures at airports across the country if they don’t have a compliant ID. AP

“TSA is planning accordingly to ensure no impact to wait times or TSA screening operations,” Lisa Farbstein, a TSA spokesperson in the New York City region, told The Post.  

“Passengers who present a state-issued identification that is not REAL ID compliant at TSA checkpoints and who do not have another acceptable alternative form of ID will be notified of their non-compliance, may be directed to a separate area and may receive additional screening.”

“TSA will enforce REAL ID in a manner that minimizes the impact to overall operations and especially for those passengers who are prepared with their REAL ID, passport or other acceptable form of ID,” she added.

Gov. Kathy Hochul said last week that the state had been working with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey ahead of the transition to REAL ID — including extra staffing and ensuring “clear operational plans” at security checkpoints.

She called on New Yorkers to allow for extra travel time, particularly at John F. Kennedy International Airport and LaGuardia Airport, and to carry their passports for domestic flights if possible.

Despite the assurances of a seamless transition, passengers and airlines were still readying themselves for potential terminal mayhem given the less-than-smooth rollout so far.

As the deadline inched closer, those scrambling to get new IDs were reporting lines out the door at some DMVs.

Others, meanwhile, have struggled to even get appointments at motor bureaus and have experienced lengthy delays in actually receiving the new ID card in the mail.

The rollout itself has also been plagued by delays.

REAL ID, a federally compliant state-issued license or identification card that Homeland Security says is a more secure form of identification, was supposed to be rolled out in 2008 after being signed into law.

In December 2022, the TSA pushed back the enforcement deadline until May 2025.

With Post wires