The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) plans to enforce the REAL ID requirement starting May 7, 2025, but is considering a phased approach to ease airport complications, as only 56% of state IDs currently meet the standards. Despite previous extensions and the current deadline, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) anticipates only 70% compliance by 2025. The TSA's proposed rule would allow for discretion in enforcement, potentially delaying full compliance until May 5, 2027, to mitigate last-minute surges in demand. This ongoing delay reflects a long history of missed deadlines since the REAL ID Act was enacted in 2005. Travelers will need REAL ID-compliant identification or alternative forms like passports to board flights and access federal facilities. The TSA emphasizes that the proposed rule does not change the deadline but allows a more flexible enforcement strategy to minimize disruptions.