Travel gets REAL in 2025

This content first appeared in the Spring 2025 print edition of NAPA Quarterly. Subscribe here.

NAPA members will need REAL ID for flying this spring.

Travelers coming to Washington, D.C. in May for the Transportation Construction Coalition (TCC) Fly-In always have a trio of airport options for flying in, but beginning May 7 there will only be one option for identification to board commercial flights: a REAL ID.

After numerous delays in implementation, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Transportation Security Authority (TSA) appear ready to begin enforcement of the REAL ID Act, which was passed by Congress in 2005. TSA released a final rule on Jan. 13 that clarifies phased enforcement of the rule at certain federal agencies through May 5, 2027, but did not mention any further extension.

“Beginning May 7, 2025, anyone 18 years and older that plans to fly domestically or visit certain Federal facilities will need a REAL ID or another acceptable form of identification,” the statement reads. “All states are issuing REAL ID-compliant driver’s licenses and identification cards. TSA continues to urge travelers to obtain a REAL ID-compliant state-issued driver’s license, state-issued identification card or another form of acceptable ID before May 7, 2025, to avoid delays at airport security checkpoints.”

NAPA members planning to be at the TCC Fly-in May 6-8, or at the Marriott Louisville Downtown in Kentucky July 8–11 for the NAPA 2025 Midyear Meeting can rest easy if they have a star on their form of ID indicating that it’s REAL Act compliant.

SAVE THE DATE: UPCOMING EVENTS

It’s never too early to make plans to engage with fellow NAPA members at our in-person events: