May 7, 2025
By Madeline Rosania
Staff Writer
A new law that went into effect today requires air travelers 18 and older to have a Real ID, a federally compliant driver’s license that meets airport security standards. Otherwise, these travelers must present a valid passport.
As an alternative, travelers can undergo an identity verification process at the airport and may be subject to additional screenings, according to the Transportation Security Administration’s website.
Differentiating itself from a traditional driver’s license, a Real ID has a flag or star on the top right corner of the card. It contains extra features such as barcodes and holograms to prevent tampering and duplication. While a conventional New Jersey driver’s license costs $24, the Real ID costs $35.
Among those who will be affected by the new ID requirement are students attending the Music Department trip to Colorado. On June 11, students in the band, chorale and color guard will be flying to Denver before heading to their final destination of Colorado Springs.
PHOTO FROM NEW JERSEY MOTOR VEHICLE COMMISSION
The Real ID features a star on the top of the card. Beginning on May 7, all passengers 18 and older boarding domestic flights will be required to show a Real ID or passport.
Choir director Ms. Wise, who is among the organizers of the annual trip, said she spoke to students and parents during their monthly meeting on Oct. 14, 2024 about Real ID’s implementation.
Wise said some of her students have been unable to make appointments at the Department of Motor Vehicles and plan to use their passports instead.
“Everybody is frustrated with the new travel mandate, but more frustrated by the lack of availability with the NJDMV to actually get their Real ID,” Wise said. “Some parents were trying to make appointments while we were in our meeting and showed me that there weren’t any appointments available for months.”
Although Wise obtained her Real ID last summer without any delays, she said she understands the difficulty people are facing.
“People are starting to panic that they will not have it in time for their travel,” Wise said.
Congress passed the Real ID Act in 2005 to address security concerns in the wake of the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. The act was supposed to be implemented on May 11, 2008, but was delayed due to resistance from states including Maine, Pennsylvania and South Carolina. The postponed implementation date was Oct. 1, 2020, but was further delayed because of COVID-19.
Senior Angelina Brennen, who will be attending the Music Department trip, said the implementation of Real ID will benefit travelers in the long run.
“People are starting to panic that they will not have it in time for their travel.”
“Driver’s licenses can be faked so easily, and the Real ID requirements make sure that people are actually who they say they are and live where they say they live,” Brennen said.
She said she opted to get a Real ID when she got her driver’s license in December 2023 because she knew she would be traveling domestically by plane.
“The process was fairly easy, only requiring a few more documents than a regular ID. I had heard a few things about Real ID being implemented in airports, so I made sure to get it as soon as I could,” Brennen said.
Senior Rachel Pimentel, who will be flying to visit her relatives in Boca Raton and Orlando, Florida this summer, said that due to a lack of appointments at the DMV, she will have to use her passport as identification.
“I haven’t been able to go to the DMV yet to obtain my Real ID because there aren’t any appointments [available for] months,” Pimentel said.
She said New Jersey residents need more time to get a Real ID.
“I feel annoyed that I have to go back to the DMV after just getting my license a year ago,” said Pimentel.
