To know if your driver's license is a REAL ID-compliant license, look for a star marking in the upper right corner of the license. If your license or state ID has this star, it means it meets the federal REAL ID standards and is valid for domestic air travel and access to certain federal facilities
. Here are key points to verify if your license is REAL ID:
- Star Marking : A star in the upper right corner indicates REAL ID compliance. Some states use variations like a star inside a gold circle or a state silhouette with a star
- State DMV Verification : You can check with your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) website or office to confirm if your license is REAL ID-compliant and to learn how to upgrade if it is not
- Documentation for REAL ID : To get a REAL ID, you typically need to provide proof of identity (birth certificate, passport), Social Security number, and proof of residency when applying or renewing your license
- Non-REAL ID Licenses : If your license lacks the star, it is not REAL ID-compliant, meaning it cannot be used for federal purposes like boarding domestic flights or entering federal buildings after the enforcement date (May 7, 2025)
If you want to verify the authenticity of your physical license beyond the REAL ID status, you can:
- Check for security features such as holograms, watermarks, microprinting, and barcodes, often visible under UV light or with special document readers
- Use online verification services or DMV databases to confirm your license information matches official records
In summary, the easiest way to know if your license is REAL ID is to look for the star marking on it and confirm with your state DMV if needed. For authenticity verification, physical security features and official database checks are used
