John Glenn Columbus Airport reports smooth first day of REAL ID requirement implementation; TSA confirms most passengers compliant with no major disruptions

May 7, 2025 (Columbus Dispatch) –

John Glenn Columbus International Airport had a "smooth morning" on the first day of the TSA 's REAL ID requirement, a spokesperson for the agency said Wednesday.

The majority of passengers at John Glenn were in compliance with the new requirement the morning of Wednesday, May 7 , and there were no major delays or disruptions, TSA spokesperson Jessica Mayle said in an e-mail.

This mirrors the state of the REAL ID rollout nationally, which was going smoothly at multiple airports, including John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York and at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport in Georgia, USA TODAY reported.

Passengers who do not have REAL ID or an acceptable alternate document will still be able to fly, they will just have to go through an additional TSA screening.

Luggage rules: TSA banned an item from checked bags just before REAL ID deadline

What is a REAL ID?

A REAL ID is an enhanced identification that is federally compliant. A REAL ID will have a star in the upper right-hand corner. A standard license will have "not for federal ID" in that same location.

The idea was born from a commission formed after the 2001 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, which recommended that the federal government create “set standards for the issuance of sources of identification, such as driver's licenses and identification cards.”

Congress passed the law on May 10, 2005 , and then-President George W. Bush signed the bill into law the following day.

Ohio BMV locations began offering the REAL ID enhancements in 2017, so those who have gotten a new driver's license or renewed one should check their license to see if they have completed the necessary steps, The Dispatch previously reported.

How can I get a REAL ID in Ohio ?

Ohio allows for licenses to be updated through BMV locations. To update a driver's license, a person will need to provide documentation that proves:

• Full legal name
• Date of birth
• Legal presence in the U.S.
• Social Security number
• Ohio street address (using two documents from different sources)
• Name change (if applicable)

Dispatch reporter Bethany Bruner contributed to this story.

Breaking and Trending News Reporter Nathan Hart can be reached at NHart@dispatch.com and at @NathanRHart on X and at nathanhart.dispatch.com on Bluesky.

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch : The REAL ID deadline is here. Here's what's happening at John Glenn Columbus Airport