REAL ID policy launches nationwide at airports; Des Moines International reports smooth first-day implementation with minimal disruption to travelers

May 8, 2025 (WHO-TV) –

DES MOINES, Iowa - The launch of the REAL ID policy across the U.S. , two decades in the making, appeared to be a smooth one.

"I didn't have any problems, just when I went through security at LGA, before I even went through, they looked at my I.D. to make sure that I had a star," said Karina Van Dyke .

Van Dyke lives in central Iowa . She was on board a Wednesday night flight from LaGuardia Airport in New York .

Johnny Stephens , who lives in New Jersey , was on board the same flight.

"They were gracious enough back in Queens- LaGuardia- to allow me to board a plane," he told WHO 13's Katie Kaplan . "They just let me know- next time be prepared."

Stephens said it was the first flight he had taken in thirty years. He had to wait in a designated line for flyers who did not have the REAL ID. He called the experience "stressful" as he had been caught in traffic on the way to the airport and only had minutes to spare. However, he still managed to make his flight on time. Stephens was not worried about the return flight home. He was in Des Moines to pick up an RV and drive it back to the East Coast .

A spokesperson for Des Moines International said the day had been uneventful, and a TSA agent told WHO 13 that the security lines moved smoothly. However, they noted Wednesday was generally the slowest day of the week for airline travelers.

The REAL ID Act was passed in 2005 in response to the 9/11 terrorist attacks. People who do not have an updated ID will have a more complicated time boarding flights, entering nuclear power plants and certain other federal buildings moving forward.

While the REAL ID enforcement deadline officially began Wednesday, May 7 , the good news is, you don't necessarily need a new driver's license or state ID to fly.