USA "Real ID" identification. How does this affect EXPATS?

03/04/25 @roddiesho.  It doesn't affect anyone who uses a US or foreign passport -- they continue to be accepted IDs, so expats can still fly freely in the US with those.  Real ID doesn't change this list of acceptable IDs:

https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-scr … tification

Real ID only affects some US Driver's Licenses.

March 4, 2025

When I fly within the US, I used to just use my Driver's License as ID.  With the implementation of Real ID, Drivers License without Real ID are no longer accepted as ID for travel.

In order for a Driver's License to have the Real ID attached, you have to show a passport or official document (birth certificate, naturalization doc etc...) and a check is done before your driver's license Real ID is attached.

People can get and renew their licenses without Real ID but you cannot use those IDs for travel within the US.

As @abthree mentioned, if you have your passport, you should be good for all travel.  But if you travel within the US and don't want to carry your passport, then your US Driver's License with Real ID is required.

Hope that this clarifies.

@Pablo888 Actually it was just me being the Program Director and creating a discussion topic. In MD. they were way ahead of the curve, so my Drivers License from several years ago is a REAL ID., star and all.

Roddie in Retirement🕵

03/04/25 I've had a passport since I was 18, so since TSA became a (n annoying) thing, I've used that exclusively as my ID -- no questions, no problems.  Not having a US residence, I don't even have a US Driver's License anymore; the last thing I used my Illinois license for was to get my first Brazilian license.

Congress enacted the REAL ID act in 2005. It only took 20 years to finally get to the finish line. Besides flying, REAL ID is also required to get into some Federal buildings. Also, it’s still not a requirement to have a REAL ID driver’s license in a lot of states. In fact, many states brought back regular drivers licenses for those individuals who are NOT citizens for example so they can still drive legally.

Is a US passport card a Real ID? I no longer have a state dl.

@ibdegen

Yes. US Passport is probably the most “REAL” USA ID.🇺🇸

Congress enacted the REAL ID act in 2005. It only took 20 years to finally get to the finish line. Besides flying, REAL ID is also required to get into some Federal buildings. Also, it’s still not a requirement to have a REAL ID driver’s license in a lot of states. In fact, many states brought back regular drivers licenses for those individuals who are NOT citizens for example so they can still drive legally. - @bepmoht

Mar 8, 2025

@bepmoht, I did not know that this was a law.  What was the intent of the law?  I suspect that the interpretation of the law has changed over time.

I would not be surprised that today's intent is to find out more about the immigration status of anyone in the US. 

With today's Real ID implementation, you know how many people who drive or use as ID who are citizens.  Conversely you also know how many are not citizens.  You just need to know how to split the non citizens into for example resident or non resident, then you should be able to narrow down who and where illegals are...

Not sure again why the law was supposed to do and how people in office are using it....

I am still waiting for the abolishing of daylight saving time and / or standard time....  This law passed in California a long while ago.  All my clocks are already internet connected now and it does not make a damn of difference for me now.

I've worked with global companies and people for 40 years. I don't care about time zones or country specific holidays.

@Pablo888

It came about from the 9/11 commission report. The fellows who flew into the TWIN towers were said to have used false ids to buy tickets to board the planes (state ids obtained not by legal means). Anyway, they wanted to make state licenses more consistent over the states, specifically the rules on how to obtain one. Now you have to show legal status in the USA to obtain a REAL ID which allows you on airplanes and into Federal buildings. Many states brought back REGULAR licenses in recent years for driving cars legally. A bit easier to obtain, however no longer valid to use for flights or Federal offices entry.

@Pablo888
It came about from the 9/11 commission report. The fellows who flew into the TWIN towers were said to have used false ids to buy tickets to board the planes (state ids obtained not by legal means). Anyway, they wanted to make state licenses more consistent over the states, specifically the rules on how to obtain one. Now you have to show legal status in the USA to obtain a REAL ID which allows you on airplanes and into Federal buildings. Many states brought back REGULAR licenses in recent years for driving cars legally. A bit easier to obtain, however no longer valid to use for flights or Federal offices entry. - @bepmoht

What is your point?

@alan279

I was answering Pablos question. He asked why REAL ID was implemented.