USA "Real ID" identification. How does this affect EXPATS?

03/04/25 @roddiesho.  It doesn't affect anyone who uses a US or foreign passport -- they continue to be accepted IDs, so expats can still fly freely in the US with those.  Real ID doesn't change this list of acceptable IDs:

https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-scr … tification

Real ID only affects some US Driver's Licenses.

March 4, 2025

When I fly within the US, I used to just use my Driver's License as ID.  With the implementation of Real ID, Drivers License without Real ID are no longer accepted as ID for travel.

In order for a Driver's License to have the Real ID attached, you have to show a passport or official document (birth certificate, naturalization doc etc...) and a check is done before your driver's license Real ID is attached.

People can get and renew their licenses without Real ID but you cannot use those IDs for travel within the US.

As @abthree mentioned, if you have your passport, you should be good for all travel.  But if you travel within the US and don't want to carry your passport, then your US Driver's License with Real ID is required.

Hope that this clarifies.

@Pablo888 Actually it was just me being the Program Director and creating a discussion topic. In MD. they were way ahead of the curve, so my Drivers License from several years ago is a REAL ID., star and all.

Roddie in Retirement🕵

03/04/25 I've had a passport since I was 18, so since TSA became a (n annoying) thing, I've used that exclusively as my ID -- no questions, no problems.  Not having a US residence, I don't even have a US Driver's License anymore; the last thing I used my Illinois license for was to get my first Brazilian license.