Earlier this year, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) moved forward with a significant policy change, requiring every traveler going through airport security to have a REAL ID-compliant form of identification.
For months and weeks leading up to the deadline, the TSA was urging travelers to update their driver’s license cards to become compliant with the new standards, and millions of travelers across the country did just that, taking time and money to update their ID.
Unfortunately, a few months after that rollout, the TSA seems to have run into a problem with some of those IDs.
TSA Rolls Out REAL ID Requirements
On May 7, 2025, the TSA officially began requiring all passengers to have a REAL ID-compliant form of identification. This can include a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license, a passport, or a number of alternatives.
The REAL ID Act was actually originally passed by Congress in 2005 to “set standards for the issuance of sources of identification, such as driver’s licenses and identification cards.” It took about two decades before it finally went into effect, but it’s now a requirement.
A Problem With Some REAL ID Cards
After the TSA rolled out the new REAL ID requirements, some travelers went through airport security only to find that their new, REAL ID-compliant driver’s license could not be scanned by the TSA scanners.
Late last month, a number of travelers from the state of Maine reached out to the Maine secretary of state’s office after the TSA could not properly read the bar codes on their new READ ID-compliant IDs.
The office said that the issue has been remedied, and BMV and TSA staff traced the problem back to one instant-issue printing machine, which has since been repaired.
What to Do If You Might Be Impacted
While the problem has been solved, that does not change the fact that some people were given what they thought were REAL ID-compliant IDs and now have an ID card that will not scan if they bring it through airport security.
If you or someone you know has problems using their REAL ID, the bad news is that they will need a new card. The good news, however, is that it will be sent to them free of charge.
Anyone who experiences scanning problems with their REAL ID should contact the Maine BMV at license.bmv@maine.gov. Replacement cards will be mailed at no cost, according to the Maine secretary of state’s office.
The office did not share how many ID cards were impacted by the issue.
Similar Issues With Other States
While this is an isolated incident limited to one printing device in one state in the country, there has been at least one similar issue in another state.
Earlier this summer, New Hampshire residents faced similar issues with cards failing to scan at the TSA checkpoint after the state redesigned its identification cards. However, in this case, it was a problem with TSA technology, not the card itself.
“Everyone who has received the new design should rest assured that their identification is valid, REAL ID-compliant, and was thoroughly reviewed and approved by a variety of stakeholders, including the Department of Homeland Security, before it was finalized and went into production,” said New Hampshire DMV Director John Marasco back in May. “The leadership team at the DMV, along with representatives from our license design vendor, will remain in close contact with the TSA until this issue is resolved.”
The issue has since been resolved, but the TSA also noted that there are other ways to verify an ID if the system does not work correctly.
“TSA has alternate measures in place for situations where the Credential Authentication Technology (CAT) system is unable to validate an ID as well as the ability to verify the identity of those passengers who do not have their ID,” said TSA New England Region spokesperson Daniel Velez.
What You Should Do
It’s important to note that even though the cards failed to scan, no travelers were prevented from traveling – they just had the ID card or their identification verified in other ways.
However, if you are worried about the possibility that your ID might not be accepted at the TSA checkpoint, there are are few things you can do.
- Pack a backup ID. The best thing to do is to pack a backup form of identification in case your primary identification does not scan properly. This can be a passport as well as a number of other alternatives.
- Manual ID Verification: Ask the officer to perform manual ID verification. While this can take more time, it is possible for your identity to be verified if your card won’t scan.
- Give yourself Extra Time. Make sure to give yourself a little bit more cushion before your flight, as some manual checks add time.
And be sure to stay up to date on all of the TSA’s policy changes.
