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What acceptable alternatives do states offer for identification if someone refuses Real ID?
Executive summary
If you refuse to get a REAL ID, federal rules let you use other accepted documents — most commonly a U.S. passport or passport card — to board domestic flights; TSA lists a broader set of acceptable IDs including military IDs, Global Entry cards and certain tribal or immigration credentials (see TSA’s guidance and multiple news roundups) [1] [2] [3]. Beginning May 7, 2025, non‑REAL ID state licenses without another accepted document are not usable at airport checkpoints and travelers who lack any accepted ID may be subject to separate identity‑verification processing or extra screening — and, as of late 2025, TSA has proposed a paid “modernized alternative identity verification” option for those who arrive without an acceptable ID [4] [5] [6].
1. What counts as an acceptable alternative to REAL ID: the headline list
TSA’s official lists show that a U.S. passport book or passport card is the clearest and most widely cited alternative to a REAL ID for domestic air travel; other accepted documents include U.S. Department of Defense IDs, Global Entry cards, certain immigration credentials (like the USCIS Employment Authorization Card I‑766), merchant mariner credentials, and acceptable photo IDs issued by federally recognized Tribal Nations — items repeated across TSA guidance and national coverage [1] [2] [3].
2. What happens if you show up with only a non‑compliant state license
Starting May 7, 2025, a state driver’s license or ID that is not REAL ID‑compliant is no longer accepted by TSA at airport checkpoints unless you present another accepted form of ID; travelers who present only a non‑compliant license may be directed to a separate area for identity verification and could face additional screening or be denied access through the checkpoint [4] [5] [7].
3. Alternative verification process: practical realities and time costs
Reporting and TSA advice emphasize that if your identity can be verified through secondary processes you might still be allowed through the checkpoint, but expect delays and extra screening — outlets and consumer guides recommend leaving a large buffer (several hours) if you plan to rely on alternatives rather than a REAL ID [3] [8]. Local airport accounts describe travellers routed to separate lines where photos and biographic checks were taken before being allowed to proceed [9].
4. New development: a paid “modernized” alternative verification
The Federal Register describes a new TSA program, effective November 20, 2025, that modernizes the alternative identity verification process and would charge an $18 optional fee for individuals who arrive without an accepted ID; participation is optional and does not guarantee access to the sterile airport area, and the fee is meant to offset program costs [6]. News coverage has framed this as a likely direct cost to travelers who balk at obtaining REAL ID or carrying a passport [10].
5. State and DMV options for people who refuse REAL ID
States continue to offer standard (non‑REAL) licenses and IDs for driving and everyday in‑state uses; those cards remain legally sufficient for driving and many transactions but will not work for boarding flights or entering some federal facilities — DMV pages and state guidance tell residents they may decline REAL ID at renewal and keep a standard license, or opt for enhanced documents (EDL/EID) where available, which meet federal requirements [11] [12] [13] [14].
6. Political and practical tensions: privacy, access, and equity
Advocates and some state pages note two competing impulses: federal security standards and citizen concerns about privacy, data collection, or ability to meet documentation requirements. Organizations such as the Electronic Frontier Foundation point out mobile IDs or other alternatives can exist and that passports/passport cards often become the practical workaround [15]. States offering in‑person help or alternate credentials acknowledge barriers for people without documents or technology; reporting indicates governments are still wrestling with equitable access [16] [12].
7. What reporting does not (yet) show
Available sources do not mention comprehensive national data on how often TSA actually denies boarding after alternative verification attempts, nor do they provide systematic statistics on average additional wait times for travelers forced into secondary screening (not found in current reporting). Likewise, there is limited reporting on how many airports have operationalized the November 2025 modernized alternative verification fee at scale [6] [10].
Bottom line: If you refuse REAL ID, carry a passport (book or card) or another TSA‑listed credential to fly; expect potential delays if you rely on alternative verification, and note that recent federal action creates an optional paid verification pathway for those who show up without any accepted ID [1] [3] [6].