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Wedding TransportationSprinter Van ServiceEvent TransportationRoadshow TransportationCity-to-CityPrivate AviationFamily Car ServiceWith REAL ID enforcement active since May 2025, travelers need to know exactly which forms of identification TSA accepts at airport security checkpoints. This side-by-side comparison covers every accepted ID, costs, processing times, and which option is best for your travel profile.
Since May 7, 2025, TSA requires a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license (identifiable by a gold star), a valid US passport, or another acceptable alternative to pass through airport security for domestic flights. Standard licenses without the gold star are no longer accepted.
For most travelers: A REAL ID is the simplest and cheapest solution (free with renewal in most states). If you travel internationally, you already have a passport that works at TSA. If you need something fast and wallet-sized, a passport card ($30–$65) is an excellent backup.
Below is a complete comparison of every TSA-accepted ID — what each covers, what it costs, and how long it takes to obtain.
Side-by-side comparison of every identification accepted at TSA checkpoints as of 2026.
| ID Type | Domestic Flights | International Air | Border (Land/Sea) | Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| REAL ID License (gold star) | Yes | No | No | $0–$30 | Domestic-only travelers |
| US Passport (book) | Yes | Yes | Yes | $130–$160 | International travelers |
| US Passport Card | Yes | No | Yes | $30–$65 | Wallet backup ID |
| Enhanced License (NY) | Yes | No | Yes (CA/MX) | +$30 over standard | NY residents + Canada trips |
| Military ID (DoD CAC) | Yes | Varies | Varies | Free (military) | Service members |
| Global Entry Card | Yes | No | Yes | $100 / 5 years | Frequent travelers |
| NEXUS Card | Yes | No | Yes (US-CA) | $50 / 5 years | US-Canada frequent crossers |
| Standard License (no star) | NO | NO | NO | — | Not accepted at TSA |
Standard driver’s licenses (without the gold star) have not been accepted at TSA checkpoints since May 7, 2025. If you present one, you may be directed to TSA’s ConfirmID service ($6 fee).
The most common and affordable TSA-compliant ID for domestic air travelers.
The most versatile travel document — works everywhere, but bulkier and more expensive.
The wallet-sized alternative — works at TSA for domestic flights but not for international air travel.
New York’s premium license option — REAL ID compliant plus border-crossing capability.
Different travelers have different needs. Here is what we recommend for each profile.
Flies within the US a few times a year. No international travel planned.
Recommended: REAL ID
Free with license renewal. Get it at your next DMV visit and you are set for domestic flights indefinitely. No extra card to carry.
Flies weekly for work, mix of domestic and international. Values time above all.
Recommended: REAL ID + Passport + Global Entry
REAL ID for everyday domestic flights. Passport for international. Global Entry ($100/5yr) gives you TSA PreCheck plus a third form of TSA-accepted ID as backup. Three layers of coverage means you are never stranded.
Takes 1–2 international trips per year plus a few domestic flights.
Recommended: REAL ID + Passport
REAL ID for domestic travel (keep passport safely at home). Passport for international trips. Consider a passport card ($30–$65) as a wallet-sized backup for domestic flights.
Lives in NY, drives to Canada occasionally, flies domestically.
Recommended: Enhanced Driver’s License
One card handles TSA checkpoints AND Canadian land border crossings. Only $30 more than a standard license. If you also fly internationally, add a passport.
Has a flight in the next 2 weeks and just realized their license is not compliant.
Recommended: Use Passport (if you have one) or Accept ConfirmID
If you have a valid passport, carry it. If not, you can use ConfirmID ($6 + 15-20 min delay) as a temporary fallback while you schedule a DMV appointment for your REAL ID. A passport card can be expedited in 2–3 weeks ($60 expedite fee).
How long each ID takes to obtain — important for last-minute travelers.
| ID Type | Standard Processing | Expedited | In-Person Required? |
|---|---|---|---|
| REAL ID License | 1–3 weeks (card by mail) | N/A — depends on state | Yes (DMV visit required) |
| US Passport (book) | 6–8 weeks | 2–3 weeks (+$60) | First-time: Yes. Renewal: Mail option |
| US Passport Card | 6–8 weeks | 2–3 weeks (+$60) | Same as passport book |
| Enhanced License (NY) | 2–3 weeks (card by mail) | N/A | Yes (NY DMV visit required) |
| Global Entry | 2–6 months (interview required) | N/A | Yes (CBP interview at enrollment center) |
| NEXUS | 3–6 months (interview at border) | N/A | Yes (joint US-Canada interview) |
What each TSA-compliant ID costs to obtain and maintain.
| ID Type | Initial Cost | Renewal Cost | Valid For | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| REAL ID License | $0–$30 (with renewal) | $0–$30 | 4–8 years (state varies) | $0–$8/yr |
| US Passport (book) | $130–$160 | $130 | 10 years (adult) | $13–$16/yr |
| US Passport Card | $30–$65 | $30 | 10 years (adult) | $3–$7/yr |
| Enhanced License (NY) | +$30 over standard | +$30 over standard | 8 years | ~$4/yr extra |
| Global Entry | $100 | $100 | 5 years | $20/yr |
| NEXUS | $50 | $50 | 5 years | $10/yr |
Common questions about choosing the right ID for TSA checkpoints.
A REAL ID driver's license is the cheapest option. In most states, upgrading to REAL ID is free or included in your standard license renewal fee. In New York, a standard REAL ID costs nothing extra when renewing. In New Jersey, it's included in the $24 renewal fee. A passport card ($30 new, $15 renewal for minors) is the next cheapest standalone option.
No. A US passport card is NOT accepted for international air travel. It is only valid for domestic flights, and for land/sea border crossings to Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda. If you need to fly internationally, you must carry a full US passport book.
For domestic flights, either works. Many travelers carry their REAL ID for domestic and keep their passport at home unless traveling internationally. However, carrying your passport as a backup is wise — if you lose your wallet (with your REAL ID), you still have TSA-compliant identification. For international flights, you must carry your passport regardless.
No. TSA PreCheck is an expedited screening program, not an identity document. You still need to present a REAL ID-compliant license, passport, or other acceptable ID to pass through the TSA checkpoint. However, if you have a Global Entry or NEXUS card, the physical card itself is an acceptable ID alternative at TSA.
Yes. A New York Enhanced Driver's License (EDL) is REAL ID-compliant and accepted at TSA checkpoints at all US airports, not just New York airports. It is a federally accepted document. The "enhanced" features (border crossing capability) are also recognized nationwide.
Update your Social Security card first (free, through SSA), then your driver's license/REAL ID at the DMV. Your passport can be updated separately. At TSA, the name on your ID must match the name on your boarding pass. If you are flying before all your documents are updated, use whichever ID matches your ticket name.
No. TSA does not require identification for travelers under 18 when traveling with an accompanying adult on domestic flights. The adult must present a REAL ID-compliant ID or acceptable alternative. For international flights, children need their own passport regardless of age.
Yes. Your physical Global Entry card is an accepted form of identification at TSA checkpoints. You do not need to show a driver's license if you present your Global Entry card. The same applies to NEXUS and SENTRI cards. Note that this refers to the physical card — the Known Traveler Number alone (printed on a boarding pass) is not an identity document.
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Last updated: February 23, 2026
True North VIP is a New York City-based premium chauffeur and black car service. The company provides airport transfers to JFK, LaGuardia, Newark, Teterboro, and Westchester County airports, along with hourly charters, corporate ground transportation, wedding and event service, and city-to-city travel. Service covers all five NYC boroughs, Northern New Jersey, Connecticut, Westchester County, Long Island, and the Hamptons, with vetted professional chauffeurs and a fleet of executive sedans, luxury sedans, SUVs, and Sprinter vans available 24/7.
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