Effective 5/7/2025, a federal law goes into effect requiring a new type of identification ā Real ID ā for anyone 18 years and older. This new law requires a Real ID compliant ID to:
- Board federally regulated commercial aircraft
- Accessing federal facilities
- Enter nuclear power plants
After 5/7/2025, a Standard License or Non-Driver ID Card will NOT be acceptable to enter the locations noted above. You will need either the REAL ID Driverās License or Non-Driver ID Card or another acceptable form of identification*, such as a valid passport, federal government PIV card, or US military ID. *For a complete list of acceptable documents, visit: https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/identification
REAL IDāÆendorsements for a NY Driverās License or NY Non-Driver ID Card can be processed at select AAA branch locations for AAA members only, but you will need to present certain physical documents to prove your identity. All New York members interested in obtaining a REAL ID should refer to the New York DMV website for complete information, download the application, and see a list of acceptable documents that must be physically presented during your transaction. If your license transaction requires a new photo, one will be taken by the DMV system. Please note we cannot use user-submitted photos, or photos from a mobile phone for a DMV transaction. New York DMV Federal REAL ID Website: https://dmv.ny.gov/driver-license/federal-real-id
Enhanced IDāÆ(EDL). For an additional fee, New York residents, who are US Citizens, have another option that is Real ID compliant. An Enhanced (EDL) endorsement on a Driverās License, permit or Non-Driver ID is a New York State DMV issued document that you can use instead of a passport to return to the US by land or sea from Canada, Mexico and some countries in the Caribbean. It is not acceptable for air travel between these countries. We recommend you contact your travel agent, your cruise line, or the specific countries of destination to verify your travel document requirements.
As with Real ID, you can apply for the EDL at select AAA branch locations for AAA members only, but you will need to present certain physical documents to prove your identity. All New York members interested in obtaining an EDL must refer to the New York DMV website for complete information, download the application, and see a list of acceptable documents that must be physically presented during your transaction: https://dmv.ny.gov/driver-license/enhanced-or-real-id
For more information on the Federal Real ID Driverās License/Non-Driver ID Card endorsement: NY DMV Federal Real ID
For more information on the benefits of an Enhanced Driverās License/Non-Driver ID Card endorsement: NY DMV Enhanced Driver License
NY DMV has a tool to help you with document requirements for the Real ID and Enhanced endorsements:āÆNY DMV Document Guide