Despite the new requirement, travelers without a Real ID were still able to pass through security, receiving informational flyers instead of being turned away.

The flyer explained that their current ID was not Real ID-compliant and warned that next time, they’d need either a Real ID or another form of federally approved identification to avoid possible delays. It included a QR code directing travelers to a list of acceptable IDs.

At Philadelphia International Airport, TSA agents checked IDs before travelers entered the security line and handed out flyers to those without compliant documents, according to Heather Redfern, spokesperson for the city’s Department of Aviation.

Most airports reported minimal wait times Wednesday morning. For example, LaGuardia Airport listed no delays at one TSA PreCheck checkpoint and 2–11-minute waits elsewhere, while Phoenix Sky Harbor reported wait times between 5 and 16 minutes. Nashville’s airport noted a wait time under 20 minutes.

“The Real ID rule is now in place, and TSA lines are flowing smoothly,” Nashville International Airport posted on social media, urging travelers to bring their Real ID if they have one.

The day before the deadline, long lines formed at government offices as people rushed to obtain their Real IDs. Chicago opened a Real ID Supercenter for walk-ins, and California extended office hours to accommodate demand.

Marion Henderson, applying for her Real ID in Jackson, Mississippi, said she was trying to avoid the last-minute rush. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem assured travelers who didn’t yet have the updated ID that they could still fly if they passed extra identity checks.

Some voiced frustration about the process. Michael Aceto waited over two hours at a Philadelphia-area DMV and called the situation inconvenient and time-consuming.

The TSA advised people without compliant IDs to arrive early to allow time for enhanced screening and posted on social media that while travelers might undergo additional checks, the number of those affected wasn’t specified.

Confusion over the new policy sparked online discussions, with users on Reddit and Facebook sharing questions, wait-time experiences, and advice on meeting the new requirements.

Secretary Noem told Congress that 81% of flyers already have Real IDs, but other accepted forms like passports and tribal IDs remain valid. Travelers without compliant IDs might go through extra steps but will still be allowed to board.

Real ID is a secure, federally compliant state-issued ID developed after a recommendation from the 9/11 Commission and signed into law in 2005. Although intended for implementation in 2008, it faced multiple delays.

TSA’s Thomas Carter in New Jersey emphasized that Real ID helps verify travelers’ identities more reliably. He advised those without it to allow more time at security, adding that doing so should prevent missed flights.

In addition to domestic flights, Real ID will be required for access to certain federal buildings and facilities. Due to the increased demand, some state licensing offices have extended hours, though officials recommend that non-travelers wait to apply until the current rush subsides.

Erin Johnson, spokesperson for Minnesota’s Department of Public Safety, reported a major spike in applications—from over 48,000 in February to more than 99,000 in April.