Enhanced Licenses and REAL ID in New York: Everything You Need to Know

Because of the pandemic, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) pushed the deadline for an Enhanced Driver License (EDL) or REAL ID from October 2020 to May 3, 2023, and then again to May 7, 2025. (More about these types of identification shortly.) And while 2025 may feel eons away, it may be your best bet to get one sooner rather than later. Understandably, many New Yorkers remain confused about why EDLs or REAL IDs in New York are even needed. The following reveals all.

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What Is a REAL ID?

REAL ID regulations in New York and other states date back to 2005 when Congress passed the REAL ID Act, setting up minimum federal standards for license issuance and production. This act directly responded to the 9/11 Commission’s recommendation that the Federal Government set new standards. According to the Department of Homeland Security, the proposal was an effort to make forms of identification more secure and consistent.

You can recognize REAL ID-compliant documents by their symbol, a white star within a black circle. Only a handful of states, including New York, also issue EDLs, which are an accepted type of REAL ID document that also upholds these heightened security standards. The primary aesthetic difference is that EDLs will not have the white star and instead say “Enhanced,” accompanied by an American flag symbol. (These are not to be confused with the IDNYC card, which is something entirely different!)

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Why Are New ID Rules Being Enacted?

Getting states to comply with the standards of the REAL ID Act took longer than expected, and DHS pushed back the timeline for states to implement the changes several times. Now, the final phase of REAL ID will be completed on May 7, 2025. This means that the TSA will require a REAL ID (or an alternate form of compliant identification, like a passport) for passengers to fly on commercial, domestic flights. A regular driver license will no longer be a valid form of identification to board a plane after May 7, 2025.

“From our perspective at TSA, REAL ID gives us another important tool in our security toolbox,” explains Lisa Farbstein, a TSA spokesperson. “It improves the reliability and accuracy of state-issued identification documents, and most importantly, prevents and deters terrorists’ ability to evade detection by using fraudulent identification.”

What’s the Difference Between Enhanced Driver Licenses & REAL IDs in New York?

New York State now issues three types of identification cards: standard, REAL ID, and EDL. After the May 7, 2025 deadline kicks in, only REAL IDs and EDLs will be acceptable forms of identification on domestic flights. Consequently, your standard license will no longer be an accepted form of identification to board a domestic airline flight.

An EDL is simply another form of REAL ID. When choosing between an EDL and a REAL ID for domestic air travel purposes, Farbstein explains that there’s “no difference to TSA in terms of validity” between the two. The most significant difference between the two documents is that an EDL allows you to cross a U.S. border coming from Canada, Mexico, and some Caribbean countries, by land or sea, while a REAL ID does not. However, if you are crossing an international border by plane, you will still need a passport.

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How Much Does a New York REAL ID Cost?

A REAL ID costs $65, the same price as a regular driver license or renewal. Meanwhile, and EDL costs $95, plus standard transaction fees. Suppose you need to upgrade to one of these documents, but your identification is not ready for renewal. In that case, you can calculate your cost for early renewal with conversion to an enhanced document on the DMV’s website.

Where Can I Get a REAL ID in New York City?

Unlike applying for a standard identification, which can usually be done by mail or online, New Yorkers must apply for a REAL ID in-person at a DMV. There are 16 fully operating DMV locations across the five boroughs, all equipped to process REAL ID and EDL requests.

Of course, there are also DMV offices across New York State. If you’re feeling ambitious, make a day trip out of your DMV excursion and head north to Yonkers or White Plains, east to Long Island’s Garden City, or beyond.

“We encourage customers, especially those needing a permit test, to make a reservation,” says Tim O’Brien, the assistant director of public information for the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles. Due to the pandemic, many DMV offices require reservations for in-person services. Be prepared before you go by visiting the DMV website to make an appointment. While many services are available online, you must visit an office in person to apply for a REAL ID.

What Documents Will I Need to Get My EDL or REAL ID?

The easiest way to find out exactly which documents you need to bring to your appointment is to take the DMV’s Document Guide Quiz. Your documents must be original and unaltered, meaning that photocopies and documents with anything redacted (even bank statements with account numbers blacked out) will likely not be accepted. It’s also a good idea to take an extra document or two in case any questions arise. Having additional proof on hand will be easier than finding time for another DMV trip.

Here’s a basic outline of what you’ll need to show, although it’s always advised to double-check the NYS DMV’s website to confirm. Keep in mind some documents, like a passport, can act as “proof” for several of the below bullet points:

• Proof of identity with full name (ex: license, passport, birth certificate)
• Proof of Social Security Number (ex: social security card or W2 with full SSN)
• Proof of your date of birth (ex: license, passport, birth certificate)
• Proof of US citizenship, lawful permanent residency, or temporary lawful status in the US (ex: passport, residency card)
• Proof (two forms) of New York State residence (ex: current NYS driver license, permit, or ID with your current address, utility bill, bank statement)

Those who have been waiting to replace their less-than-flattering license photos are in luck. All EDL and REAL ID applicants must also take a new DMV photo during their appointment.

Can I Still Board a Domestic Flight With My Old Driver License?

For now, yes. But come May 2025, your standard driver license or identification card won’t get you through airport security even if it is not yet expired. But the TSA does accept 15 other types of identification, including a passport.

Does My Child Need Documents to Fly?

The TSA does not currently require children under 18 to have identification if they’re traveling with a companion within the U.S. As long as their adult companion has a REAL ID-compliant document by October, minors shouldn’t need identification for airport security.

Will New York Get Real IDs in Time?

The deadline for full REAL ID enforcement was originally moved one year back to October 2021, but it was moved twice more due to delays related to COVID-19. Because DMV offices have been backlogged, especially because license renewal deadlines had been postponed, states need more time to make the switch.

As of April 2021, the DHS reported that only 43 percent of all state-issued driver licenses and identification cards are REAL ID-compliant. TSA, the agency tasked with enforcing the law, has been doing its part to get the word out to U.S. residents by updating signage at airports and using social media.

If you plan to fly domestically in the coming years, you’ll want to start thinking about your own identification upgrade long before you head to the airport. Visit the DMV’s website for even more information and safe travels!