Final deadline for Real ID set for May

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias at a press conference announced the final deadline for Real ID is coming May 7.

Illinoisans will not need a Real ID in order to drive or for identification, a drivers license is enough to cover both.

However, anyone wanting to take a domestic flight will need either a Real ID or a U.S. passport. The TSA will not be accepting drivers licenses for flights after May 7.

Real ID has been delayed over decades, with its most recent delays due to COVID-19. Giannoulias says he is confident this will be the last deadline.

"I get asked a lot on a regular basis is this Real ID deadline for real this time?" Giannoulias said. "The one thing that's different this time is TSA just recently published a final rule rejecting the option for another extension and requiring the regulation to finally take affect."

To get a Real ID, an appointment with the DMV is required, which can be done on the DMV's website. If you need to cancel your appointment, Giannoulias said he wants people to cancel ahead of time so someone else could make an appointment at that time.