What Happens in Indiana if You Don’t Get a Real ID by Deadline

Time is running out for Hoosiers to get their REAL ID. Here's everything you need to know.

In case you haven't heard, the federal REAL ID deadline is fast approaching. That's why Indiana officials are encouraging Hoosiers to make an appointment with the BMV as soon as possible.

What is a REAL ID?

This was a mandate that Congress put into place after 9/11. However, there has been some lengthy delays in the process. According to the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles,  a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license, permit, or identification card will soon be required to board commercial airplanes or enter certain federal facilities. It essentially looks like a normal Indiana license, however, there is a star in the upper right-hand corner of your driver’s license, permit, or state identification card. That star indicates that it is a REAL ID. These new IDs are more secure and harder to counterfeit.

The deadline to obtain a REAL ID is May 7th, 2025. So, time is running out to obtain one.

What Happens if You Don't Get A REAL ID

Starting May 7th, everyone flying in the United States or visiting a secure federal facility will need a REAL ID, Enhanced ID, passport, or another form of federally compliant identification. Without a REAL ID, you could experience travel delays or, worse, be unable to fly. If you don't get the REAL ID by the deadline, you must bring an Enhanced ID or passport to board any flight in Indiana and across the country.

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How to Obtain Your REAL ID Before May 7th

To obtain a Real ID, Hoosiers must visit a BMV branch and provide certain documentation, which you can learn about in the video below.