HARTFORD, Conn. — Connecticut driver's licenses need to be compliant with REAL ID federal regulations by May 2025 to be used for domestic flights, a TSA New England spokesperson said Thursday.
Licenses that are REAL ID-compliant have a small star in the upper right corner to show that they are up to date with the regulations and meet security standards, the spokesperson said.
“REAL ID is a coordinated effort by the federal government to improve the reliability and accuracy of driver licenses and identification cards,” said William Csontos, TSA’s federal security director for Connecticut. “The improvements are intended to inhibit terrorists’ ability to evade detection by using fraudulent identification.”
Transportation Security Administration officers at airport ticket-checking stations will not allow anyone through after May 7, 2025 if they do not have either federally-approved drivers licenses or another accepted form of identification.
A list of alternate approved ID forms can be found here.
Residents with non-compliant drivers licenses can upgrade to a REAL ID by visiting their local Department of Motor Vehicles office in person and bring required documents as listed on the state website here.
The REAL ID Act, passed by Congress in 2005 following a recommendation from the 9/11 Commission, "established minimum security standards for state-issued driver's licenses and identification cards," prohibiting certain federal agencies from accepting cards that do not meet the standards, for purposes such as "boarding federally regulated commercial aircraft" or "accessing certain federal facilities," the U.S. Department of Homeland Security website said.
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“Bradley International Airport is doing its part to remind passengers about this important deadline to ensure the TSA security checkpoint lines are able to move in a timely and efficient manner,” said Kevin A. Dillon, A.A.E., executive director of the Connecticut Airport Authority. “Anyone who plans on using their driver’s license as a form of identification when flying domestically should take the necessary steps to comply with the REAL ID program between now and next May.”
Sean Humphrey is a Digital Content Producer at FOX61 News. He can be reached at shumphrey@fox61.com.
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