Real ID deadline nears: What Kansas travelers should know

WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — The countdown is on. Beginning May 7, travelers will be required to present a REAL ID-compliant driver's license or identification card to board domestic flights or enter certain federal and Department of Defense facilities, including McConnell Air Force Base.
Without one, you'll need to show another form of acceptable identification, like a valid U.S. passport.
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The REAL ID Act, passed by Congress in 2005, established minimum security standards for state-issued IDs. Once in effect, federal agencies, including the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), will no longer accept IDs from non-compliant states for air travel and access to secure federal buildings.
Patricia Mancha, TSA media spokesperson for Kansas, said it will be required 'at all of our checkpoints.'
'If you don't have a compliant ID when you get to the airport, you may not be allowed access to the checkpoint — which means you may not be allowed to fly,' she said.
REAL ID-compliant cards typically feature a star in the upper portion of the card. The design varies by state — Kansas IDs may have a simple star, while California's may include a bear and star combination.
'Some of the enhanced IDs actually don't have a star but have a hologram image,' Mancha explained. 'Just check your ID, and if you're not sure, contact your state DMV.'
To obtain a REAL ID, residents must provide documents that verify:
Full legal name
Date of birth
Lawful status
Social Security number
Two documents proving current address
Requirements can vary, so officials urge residents to visit tsa.gov/real-id and select their state to view exact documentation and DMV procedures.
DMV offices across the country expect a spike in applications as the deadline nears — especially in larger metro areas like Wichita.
'Most DMV offices do not take walk-ins anymore,' Mancha noted. 'In some cases, there's a wait of days, weeks, or even months to get an appointment.'
She recommends beginning the application process as soon as possible, particularly if you have travel plans on or after May 7.
Alternative IDs, such as passports, Department of Defense IDs, tribal documents, or a Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC), are also accepted at TSA checkpoints. However, relying on these without a REAL ID can cause delays.
'Every day, we see travelers who forgot their ID or had it stolen,' Mancha said. 'We work with them to try to verify their identity, but that's not a fast process. There are no guarantees we can get you through in time for your flight.'
'We recommend arriving at least four hours early if you don't have a valid ID — and even then, we can't guarantee you'll be able to fly.'
For more information on REAL ID and TSA travel requirements, visit tsa.gov/real-id.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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