Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Your NY Driver's License Won't Be Valid ID For A Domestic Flight Soon
By
Rebecca Fishbein
Published Sep 19, 2015
Modified Sep 19, 2015
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
DMV
By
Rebecca Fishbein
Published Sep 19, 2015
Modified Sep 19, 2015
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Travel & Leisure published a terrifying piece yesterday reporting that in 2016, the standard New York State driver's license won't be considered valid identification for boarding a domestic flight. The bad news is, this is technically true. The good news is, you won't necessarily have to lug your passport around with you on a flight to Chicago, though you may have to brave the DMV for a new driver's license.
Apparently, the Department of Homeland Security launched a REAL ID Act back in 2005 that mandates states require proof of citizenship or residency to obtain driver's licenses in order to board domestic flights. Five states—New York, Louisiana, Minnesota, New Hampshire, and American Samoa—are considered "non-compliant" with that security mandate, so starting at some point soon, you may have to use a different government-issued ID to fly, though the DHS says our licenses are valid "at least until 2016."
An official with the Department of Motor Vehicles assured us that our licenses won't be rendered ineffective for plane travel at the stroke of midnight on New Year's Day. "We have submitted a request for an extension to the REAL ID Act and our discussions with the Department of Homeland Security have been very productive," the DMV said in a statement. "We have no reason to believe that any New Yorker will have a problem using their current state-issued ID card to get on a plane come January 2016."
The DMV says they expect DHS will give drivers ample notice before changing federal regulations on them, but if you're a U.S. citizen and are getting your license renewed soon, you may want to opt for an Enhanced Driver's License (EDL). That license, which costs an extra $30, complies with the REAL ID Act and is also valid identification if you're traveling in and out of Canada and Mexico by land or sea. Again, only U.S. citizens can obtain an EDL—otherwise, you'll have to carry your passport with you anytime you fly when the regulations become law.
Tagged
dhs
dmv
drivers license
drivers licenses
license
tsa
Rebecca Fishbein
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
NY's prison system is in crisis. It's driving staff away from the job.
The state is currently struggling with a 56% vacancy rate among prison workers.
By
Emily Russell
Published Oct 4, 2026 at 7:00 a.m. ET
NYPD searching for suspect after fatal stabbing in Queens
Officers responding to a call at the intersection of Jamaica Avenue and 173rd Street around 1 a.m. found 29-year-old Sulimon Ferrier, who had multiple stab wounds to his chest, police said.
By
Ben Feuerherd
News
NYPD searching for suspect after fatal stabbing in Queens
Officers responding to a call at the intersection of Jamaica Avenue and 173rd Street around 1 a.m. found 29-year-old Sulimon Ferrier, who had multiple stab wounds to his chest, police said.
By
Ben Feuerherd
NYPD: 2 suspects in off-duty officer stabbing tried to rob victim
By
Jill Webb
Astoria-born Chip City announces sudden closure days after former CEO sues
By
Catalina Gonella
US judge tosses Trump lawsuit targeting pro-Palestinian protesters in NJ
By
Willow Higgins
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .