Last week during our meeting, my manager asked us to submit our year-end vacation schedules. For that brief moment of filling out the vacation request form, the company felt a bit better.

However, while looking for flight tickets, I suddenly pulled out my driver's license from my wallet. I noticed there was no star symbol at the top of the card.

Realizing that the star indicates a Real ID sent a chill down my spine. So, I've organized the information I checked before this year-end trip.

First of all, the enforcement of Real ID has been in effect for quite some time. Starting May 7, 2025, state driver's licenses or IDs that do not meet Real ID standards will not be accepted as identification at airport security checkpoints.

Most people have probably heard about this in the news. The issue lies in the changes that have occurred since then.

The TSA has introduced a program called ConfirmID starting February 1, 2026. Instead of verifying identity without a Real ID or other accepted identification, travelers will pay a fee of $45.

Payments can be made online at tsa.gov/ConfirmID in advance, and you just need to show the receipt at the security checkpoint. They accept screenshots, emails, or printed copies.

The verification process involves answering questions that only you would know. Once verified, it is valid for 10 days, so if you travel round trip within that time, you only need to pay once.

According to the TSA, this fee is intended to cover the costs of verifying individuals who lack identification. Essentially, it means that those who are unprepared are paying for the system's costs.

There is a catch here. Just because you paid the $45 does not guarantee passage.

The TSA clearly states that if your identity cannot be verified, you may be turned away at the checkpoint. Imagining missing a flight after paying is a nightmare for anyone working.

If done in advance, it takes about 10 to 15 minutes, but reports suggest it could take up to 30 minutes at the airport. Waiting 30 minutes at a holiday airport essentially means giving up on boarding.

So, does this mean it's the end if you don't have a Real ID? Not necessarily. The TSA recognizes several other forms of identification.

U.S. passports and passport cards are the most common, and trusted traveler cards like Global Entry are also accepted. Green cards are included in the TSA's list of accepted IDs.

For Korean families, this aspect is quite important. If your parents are green card holders, they only need to carry their green cards, so there's no need to worry about a driver's license.

There's also the issue of children. The TSA does not require identification for travelers under 18 traveling with a companion within the U.S.

However, each airline may have its own regulations, so it's best to check the guidelines of the airline you booked with.

Fortunately, I have a passport, so I decided to bring it for this year-end trip. I took out my passport from deep in the drawer and checked its expiration date. But honestly, carrying my passport everywhere makes me a bit anxious.

So, I looked into making an appointment to switch to a Real ID at the New Jersey MVC. Real IDs cannot be obtained through walk-ins and must be scheduled online.

This June, the governor's office announced that they would be adding four more MVC locations to issue Real IDs. According to that announcement, the average wait time for appointments has decreased from 73 days to 40 days.

Thinking that 40 days is still longer than my company's approval process crossed my mind for a moment. Still, it's an improvement compared to before, so I decided to accept it gratefully.

You will need two proofs of address, one proof of Social Security number, and six points of identity verification. They must be original documents or notarized copies, and coated documents are not accepted.

The good news is that starting in April, you can submit proof of address digitally. Utility bills or bank statements displayed on your phone will be accepted if they meet the criteria.

If you're confused about how many points each document is worth, try using the document selection tool on the MVC website. Checking it will give you a good idea of whether the documents you have at home will work.

Also, many advise bringing extra documents since even one rejection can happen. It's much less tiring to carry one extra document than to make two appointments.

In summary, the steps are simple. First, check if your driver's license has a star; if not, see if you have alternative IDs like a passport or green card.

If you have no alternative IDs and your trip is imminent, applying for ConfirmID online in advance is your last resort. Waiting until you arrive at the airport will be too late.

Thanksgiving weekend is at the end of November, so even if you make an appointment now, it's uncertain whether your Real ID will arrive before then. Therefore, it's realistic to prioritize bringing your passport for this year-end and prepare your Real ID slowly for next year's travels.

If it were me, I wouldn't spend the $45. That money could buy coffee and a bagel at the airport and still have some left over.

Does your driver's license have a star? Take a moment to check it on your way home today.