Utah REAL ID countdown: Upgrade your license before flying out of Salt Lake City

PARK CITY, Utah — Summit County residents who have not yet upgraded to a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or identification card have less than two weeks to do so before standard licenses are no longer accepted at airport security checkpoints and most federal facilities.

According to the Department of Homeland Security, Beginning May 7, 2025, the Transportation Security Administration will require travelers 18 and older to present a REAL ID, U.S. passport, military ID, or other federally approved document to board domestic flights or enter secure federal buildings.

The Utah Driver License Division says 95.5 percent of state residents are already compliant, but officials urge the remaining holdouts to schedule appointments now.

A compliant card shows a gold star in the upper-right corner. To upgrade, applicants must bring proof of identity, Social Security number, and two documents showing Utah residency; a complete list is available on the division’s website.

DHS said travelers who reach Salt Lake City International Airport after the deadline with a non-compliant license will be denied boarding unless they can provide an acceptable alternative ID.

Local officials recommend applying well before summer travel peaks to avoid last-minute backlogs.