Travelers weigh in on REAL ID rollout after 2005 law finally takes effect: ‘I think it's important'

Many travelers preparing for their flights astatine the Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson Airport told Fox News Digital that the authorities efficaciously notified Americans astir the REAL ID instrumentality that took effect connected May 7, with galore adding that the caller request bolsters safety. 

"I deliberation they did a large occupation of letting radical know… and I deliberation it's important, due to the fact that we request to marque definite that everyone's got close identification," said 1 antheral who spoke to Fox News Digital from the terminal. 

"I deliberation that the authorities did a truly bully occupation of informing the nationalist that it's needed. I spot it everywhere," different antheral said. 

The REAL ID laws took effect connected May 7, though the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced up of Wednesday that Americans who deficiency the caller ID volition inactive beryllium capable to question but would look further screening. REAL ID is simply a federally-compliant driver's licence oregon different recognition that meets higher standards than state-issued driver's licenses.

REAL ID DEADLINE COMES AND GOES – AIRPORTS REPORT BUSINESS AS USUAL

Passengers enactment up for the information check-point astatine Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson Airport connected Wednesday, May 7, 2025. (Robin Rayne for Fox News Digital)

Only ineligible U.S. citizens oregon residents tin get a REAL ID. Valid U.S. passports tin besides inactive beryllium utilized alternatively of a REAL ID for home aerial travel, the DHS explains connected its website. 

"I deliberation the authorities did a large occupation preparing for folks, and particularly successful the authorities of Georgia. They've had this successful process for a agelong time," said different traveler.

Congress passed the REAL ID Act successful 2005 to heighten information requirements for driver's licenses successful effect to the attacks connected 9/11. Though immoderate states began complying with the instrumentality much than a decennary ago, enforcement successful each states had been repeatedly delayed owed to the pandemic, DMV backlogs, arsenic good arsenic immoderate states, specified arsenic South Carolina, initially refusing to comply. 

DO WE EVEN NEED THIS? LAWMAKERS GET REAL ABOUT REAL ID MANDATE STARTING TODAY

REAL ID laws took effect connected May 7 astatine airports nationwide. (FOX NEWS DIGITAL )

"We've been doing it since, gosh … since 2013. Trying to get everybody aboard, and this is the past twelvemonth for them to get connected board," 1 pistillate said.

"I deliberation it's important to support our airports 1 different and our national buildings with higher security," different pistillate said. 

Air travelers astatine Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson Airport spoke to Fox Digital astir REAL ID laws taking effect. (FOX NEWS DIGITAL )

AIR TRAVELERS WITHOUT REAL ID TO FACE EXTRA SCREENING BUT WILL BE ALLOWED TO FLY FOR NOW, DHS SAYS

By contrast, different traveler said the roll-out could person been smoother. 

TSA agents cheque hose passengers for REAL ID oregon passports astatine the information check-point astatine Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson Airport connected Wednesday, May 7, 2025. (Robin Rayne for Fox News Digital)

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"They could person rolled this retired a small smoothly determination and allowed radical to get much prepared, adjacent though, you know, to accidental it's been successful the works for a mates of years, but I question rather often, and I didn't know," she said.