I’ve lost count of how many early-morning checkpoint walks I’ve done with station managers, but I remember May 7, 2025 like it was yesterday. We had a neat stack of REAL ID reminder cards at the podium, a CAT-2 unit warming up, and a line of sleepy travelers clutching coffees and paper temporary licenses that, unfortunately, wouldn’t fly. If you felt the rules tightened this year—you’re right. The good news: once you know what’s different and how the lanes really work, you can shave minutes off your routine and avoid the “secondary” shuffle.
What changed in 2025 (in plain English)
REAL ID enforcement is now live nationwide. If your driver’s license isn’t REAL ID–compliant, it’s not acceptable at the TSA podium for domestic flights. Bring a REAL ID or an acceptable alternative (passport, passport card, Trusted Traveler card, DoD ID). Check the official “Acceptable Identification” page if you’re unsure; it’s the definitive list and the one I point family to when they text me from the Uber.
Two other things scaled up this year. First, more airports rolled out CAT-2 facial comparison at document check. It takes a live photo and compares it to your ID image to help officers validate identity—photos aren’t kept after a successful match outside limited testing, and you can opt out and request a manual check. Second, CT carry-on scanners are spreading, which means laptops usually stay in your bag in those lanes; the 3-1-1 liquids rule still applies unless signage tells you otherwise. I’ll explain how to spot these lanes—and how to use them—below.
Digital IDs (mobile driver’s licenses) are also a real thing now, but only at participating states and airports. I carry my passport anyway, and I recommend you do too—digital acceptance is expanding, not universal. Start with TSA’s Digital ID hub to see where your phone ID will actually work.
If you want traveler-side comparisons of cabins, portals, and power (so your phone isn’t dying before you even reach the podium), my team keeps practical reviews here: In-Flight Experience Reviews.
The ID rules you must actually follow
From May 7, 2025 onward, a non-REAL ID state license is not accepted at TSA checkpoints. Bring a REAL ID or one of the acceptable alternatives. Temporary paper licenses don’t pass. If you forget your wallet, TSA can try to verify your identity through other means, but it’s slow and not guaranteed. Bookmark the official ID page and scan it the night before you travel.
From my experience, the most common hiccups this summer were:
- People assuming a temporary paper license would work (it won’t).
- Folks presenting a digital ID where the airport doesn’t support it yet.
- Travelers surprised by the live photo step at CAT-2, even though it’s been clearly signposted.
If you like planning your airport time like a pro (and maybe getting some spotting in later), this guide pairs well with our quick runway/NOTAM workflow: How to Read NOTAMs, Runway Configs, and Wind for Spotting Days.
What actually happens at document check (CAT-2)
Here’s the play-by-play. You present your ID, the CAT-2 unit takes a live photo, and it compares the two images. If it matches, the officer clears you into screening; often you won’t need to show a boarding pass at this step. If you’re uncomfortable, say so—manual ID check is always available. What I’ve learned is that CAT-2 is far faster than a fussy UV light routine when the queue understands it’s coming; we got our best throughput when we put a “live photo ahead—hats off, sunglasses off” placard 20 feet before the podium. For the privacy skeptics, read TSA’s own CAT-2 factsheet; it addresses the “are they saving my face?” question directly.
Screening tech in the lane: CT, AIT, and why that laptop can stay put
If your lane has CT scanners (the bins are deeper and the monitors show rotatable 3-D images), your laptop usually stays in your bag. You still follow 3-1-1 unless signage or an officer tells you otherwise; CT isn’t a universal liquids free-for-all yet. I’ve seen throughput jump meaningfully when travelers know this and stop building little “electronics exhibitions” in bins. The official CT program page is the best explainer to send to skeptical friends.
A quick reality check on AIT body scanners: they use automated target recognition—no human is staring at a raw body image—and you follow officer prompts. If you need an alternate screening method, ask; officers do this all day.
Field story: the day we fixed a “slow lane” without adding staff
In June, we had a CAT-2 + CT checkpoint where wait times kept spiking to 22–25 minutes after every bank arrival, even though the staffing plan was sound. We pulled an hour of CCTV plus lane data and saw two self-inflicted wounds:
- Passengers reached the podium still wearing hats and sunglasses (CAT-2 retakes slow everything).
- At CT, people kept pulling laptops “just in case,” doubling divest time.
We made two tiny changes:
- A “READY FOR LIVE PHOTO” stanchion sign with three icons (hat off, glasses off, ID in hand), placed 30 feet before the podium.
- A looping 10-second CT animation on a tablet stand that simply said “Leave laptops in your bag in this lane.”
Result over the next week:
- Median wait dropped from 15:40 to 10:50.
- The long-tail peak during banks fell from 25 minutes to 14.
- Secondary bag checks dipped ~12%, likely because fewer bins = fewer jumbled items.
That’s the kind of micro-ops tweak you’ll never see in a press release, but you feel it when you’re the one hustling to a tight connection.
Digital IDs: when they help—and when they don’t
I’ve tested mobile driver’s licenses at a half-dozen airports now. When the lane supports it, it’s slick: tap your phone, confirm on-device, done. But it’s not everywhere yet, and not every state is live. My advice is simple: use the Digital ID page to confirm your state and your departure airport, and always carry a physical backup. Treat mDL as an accelerator, not a crutch.
If you want a single place on our site where we track rule changes like this (and how they actually play out), add this to your bookmarks: Regulatory Updates. Aviation Titans
How to cut your wait time without gaming the system
From my experience, four habits beat any “secret line” tip:
- Enroll in PreCheck if you fly even a few times a year. Most eligible travelers clear quickly; the real value is predictability—shoes on, light divest, less repacking chaos at the belt.
- Use the MyTSA app to check lane hours and busyness before you leave home. If your airport offers reserve-a-slot, grab one during peak banks.
- Pack for CT even if you’re not sure your lane has it. A tidy carry-on with liquids ready and no loose electronics makes any lane faster.
- Know “What Can I Bring?” before you guess at the podium. Nothing wrecks a good line like three minutes of repacking aerosol cans.
Pro tip from the podium: if you’re traveling with kids or a relative who needs extra assistance, tell the officer at document check. We can often move you to the best-fitting lane right away instead of mid-queue.
FAQ for 2025 travelers (answers you can trust)
Is REAL ID mandatory now?
Yes. If your state ID isn’t REAL ID–compliant, it’s not acceptable for TSA screening; use a REAL ID or another acceptable ID like a passport.
Can I use a temporary paper license?
No. Temporary paper licenses don’t qualify at the checkpoint. Bring a compliant physical ID or passport.
Are my photos saved if I use CAT-2?
TSA states photos aren’t saved after a successful match outside limited testing. You may opt out and request manual ID check.
Will CT let me keep all liquids in my bag?
Not yet. CT helps, but the 3-1-1 rule still applies unless signage or officers say otherwise.
Do digital IDs work everywhere?
No. Digital ID works only in participating states and at supported airports. Always carry a physical ID as backup.
