Is Real ID Actually Coming To Arizona In 2025?

If you've been to the DMV any time in the past 20 years, you've likely seen dozens of signs for "Real ID", something they say will be necessary in the coming months for any one needing to travel long distances.

Issue is, they've been saying this for all 20 years, and no one is quite sure when the deadline to need a Real ID is. So, when will they be required in Arizona?

What is Real ID?

In the aftermath of the worst day in recent American history, the September 11th attacks, the U.S. government realized massive changes needed to be made to ensure this would never happen again. One of these changes was the Real ID Act, passed in 2005, which was meant to make identification more secure in airports.

This act effectively turns your drivers license into a national identify document, which will allow the U.S. government to keep track of you in highly classified or high-risk areas.

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When is Real ID Coming to Arizona?

In 2005, the set date to need these IDs was 2010, then it was 2015, then 2016, then 2020, then... well, you get the point. These have been a long time coming, and May 7th, 2025 is now set for the date to need to have this ID by. At least, kind of.

While 2025 is the year this deadline is set for, the Department of Transportation is not going to require these IDs until two years later, on May 7th, 2027. Only time will tell, however, if this date is the one they really mean, 20 years after its inception.

[Department of Homeland Security][American Civil Liberties Union][KJZZ]