NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — In less than a year, travelers will need a REAL ID to fly anywhere in the United States.

The deadline is approaching, and Louisiana is playing catch up.

May 7, 2025, is the day that all air travelers must be REAL ID compliant, or you could have trouble boarding a flight. Our state is lagging behind in the number of residents in compliance.

"It's low. We need our residents to step up," said Office of Motor Vehicles Commissioner Dan Casey.

Casey says only 25% of four million drivers statewide are compliant. To be clear, even without a REAL ID, you will still be able to board a plane with a passport, but you will need it even for domestic flights, so REAL ID is the way to go.

"I got it because I don't want to take my passport to travel at the airport because that is a lot bigger than my ID," said traveler Sara Brown.

"It is a national program that includes all of the United States and U.S. territories," said spokesperson for Transportation Security Administration Sari Koshertz.

To apply or upgrade, head to the Office of Motor Vehicles and bring an ID and two pieces of mail from your current address. It will cost about $17 for the upgrade.

TSA officials say even if you only travel occasionally, it's time to get compliant.

"Well, if you fly at all or if you take a trip once every few years, you're still going to need that real ID, so it's a great time. when you're renewing your license, you'll have it, and you know it's in the bank," said Koshertz.

For more information on REAL ID, visit the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicle website.

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