REAL ID rolls out on Wednesday. What that means for travel in the U.S.

By A Martínez

Published May 5, 2025 at 4:14 AM EDT

Starting Wednesday, the rules for flying within the U.S. will change as REAL ID rolls out. NPR's A Martinez speaks with travel editor Clint Henderson of The Points Guy to bring us up to speed on it.

Related Content

Talk therapy is up, and use of psych meds without therapy is down: study

Rhitu Chatterjee

A study from the American Journal of Psychiatry suggests that psychotherapy is becoming more accessible to people. The study looks at trends in mental health treatment from 2018 to 2021.
Critics warn of weaponization of the DOJ despite administration calls to end it

Ryan Lucas

Critics warn that despite President Trump's call to end weaponization of the DOJ, the department has become more politicized in the president's first three months back in office.
Sean 'Diddy' Combs' sex trafficking trial begins Monday with jury selection

Isabella Gomez Sarmiento

The trial of Sean "Diddy" Combs begins in New York City on Monday with jury selection. Combs faces charges that include sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy.
An exhibit honoring victims of gun violence is taken down at ATF headquarters

Kristin Wright

The Faces of Gun Violence exhibit at the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) headquarters showed the portraits of 120 people killed in gun violence in the U.S.
Voters will decide if Elon Musk's SpaceX complex in South Texas will be its own city

Lauren McGaughy

Voters in an unincorporated area of Boca in Cameron County — next to Elon Musk's SpaceX complex in South Texas — are voting to make Starbase a city. That will give SpaceX more power over a public beach and state highway.

You make NHPR possible.

NHPR is nonprofit and independent. We rely on readers like you to support the local, national, and international coverage on this website. Your support makes this news available to everyone.

Give today. A monthly donation of $5 makes a real difference.