Can I use my REAL ID to travel internationally?
No, you cannot use a REAL ID to travel internationally by air. This is probably the biggest misunderstanding most people have. The REAL ID was designed for domestic use within the United States, not for international travel.
If you are planning a trip outside the U.S.—say to Europe, Asia, Africa, or even Canada or Mexico by airplane—you are still going to need a valid U.S. passport book. The REAL ID is not a replacement for that.
According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, “A REAL ID cannot be used for international air travel.” So if you show up at the airport trying to fly to another country with only a REAL ID, you will be turned away.
Can I use my REAL ID to cross the border into Canada or Mexico?
This is where things get a bit more specific. If you are driving or traveling by land or sea to Canada or Mexico, the REAL ID still does not work on its own. You will need either:
- A U.S. passport book
- A U.S. passport card
- An Enhanced Driver’s License (EDL)
REAL ID cards do not grant you cross-border travel privileges. So if you are planning a road trip to Toronto or taking a cruise that stops in Cozumel, your REAL ID is not going to cut it. You will need one of the alternatives listed above.
What is an Enhanced Driver’s License (EDL), and how is it different from a REAL ID?
This is a super important distinction. A lot of people think REAL ID and Enhanced Driver’s Licenses are the same—they are not.
An EDL is issued only in five states: New York, Michigan, Minnesota, Vermont, and Washington. These licenses are compliant with both REAL ID domestic requirements and allow land and sea travel between the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean.
They are marked with an American flag and the word “Enhanced” at the top. If you have one of these, you can use it to cross borders by land or sea, but not by air. So again, if you are flying into Mexico or Canada, you will still need your passport.
What if I only travel within the U.S. — is a REAL ID enough?
Yes, if you are 18 or older and flying within the U.S. starting May 7, 2025, you will need a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or ID card, or another approved ID like a U.S. passport, to get through airport security.
If your license is REAL ID compliant, you will see a gold star on it. Without it—or another acceptable form of ID—you will not be able to board a domestic flight. So make sure you check your card before heading to the airport.
What documents can I use if I don’t have a REAL ID?
The TSA also accepts other forms of ID for domestic travel, such as:
- U.S. passport or passport card
- DHS Trusted Traveler Cards (like Global Entry)
- Permanent Resident Card
- State-issued Enhanced Driver’s License
- U.S. military ID
So if you do not plan to get a REAL ID before May 2025, but still need to travel, your passport can serve as your boarding ID within the U.S. too.
So do I even need a REAL ID at all?
If you do not fly domestically and do not need to enter federal facilities, you might not need one. But if you want one form of ID that gets you through TSA checkpoints after May 7, 2025, a REAL ID can make life easier.
Just remember—it will not help you cross the border or hop on an international flight. For that, your passport is still king.
