What Happens in Maine if You Don’t Get a Real ID by Deadline

The deadline to get a Real ID in Maine is approaching—but what happens if you don’t get your Real ID-compliant driver’s license before that date?

Listen, we get it—nobody likes change or deadlines—but it’s still a good idea to at least understand what’s coming and know what kind of changes to expect.

Before we get into that, let’s make sure we’re all on the same page: What exactly is a Real ID?

According to the Department of Homeland Security, the Real ID Act—passed by Congress in 2005—establishes federal standards for state-issued driver's licenses and ID cards to improve nationwide security, with the deadline set to begin on May 7th, 2025.

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With that in mind, what will happen if you don’t get a Real ID by the deadline of May 7th, 2025?

According to the Department of the Secretary of State and the Bureau of Motor Vehicles, Maine residents will need a Real ID-compliant driver's license or state ID to board domestic flights or enter secure federal facilities, unless they have a passport or passport card. After that date, only Real ID-compliant licenses will be accepted for things like flying on commercial planes or entering certain federal buildings.

Soon, you’ll need a Real ID-compliant driver’s license, state ID, a passport, or a passport card to board domestic flights or enter secure federal facilities.

Do you have your Real ID-compliant driver’s license yet? What are your thoughts on the Real ID changes? We’d love to hear from you—feel free to join the conversation by messaging us on the app!

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