Press Release

OKLAHOMA CITY – With federal enforcement of REAL ID requirements starting May 7, 2025, Service Oklahoma is reminding travelers that waiting too long to apply could disrupt upcoming travel plans. Customers receive a temporary paper license at the time of their visit, but paper IDs are not accepted for air travel. Permanent REAL ID-compliant credentials are mailed and typically arrive within 10 to 14 business days.

"We want people to be prepared, not panicked, at the airport,” said Diedra O’Neil, Chief Executive of Strategy & Operations at Service Oklahoma. “A paper ID won’t get you through security, and applying just days before your trip may not leave enough time for your REAL ID to arrive. If you’re flying in May, don’t wait. Visit service.ok.gov/REALID for all the information on how to get a REAL ID in Oklahoma.”

As of April 21, Service Oklahoma has issued more than 2.1 million REAL IDs, with a statewide compliance rate of 43.8%. To make the process easier, the agency has expanded access, encouraged the use of tools like the REAL ID checklist and continued its work with licensed operators to offer REAL ID services at more than 270 locations statewide.

REAL ID by the Numbers (as of April 21)

• Total REAL ID credentials issued: 2,173,908
• Active REAL ID-compliant credentials (all types): 1,527,248
• Total active credentials (all types): 3,490,056
• Statewide compliance rate: 43.8%

TSA Will Enforce Starting May 7
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has confirmed that beginning May 7, travelers age 18 and older must present a REAL ID or another acceptable form of ID (such as a passport) at airport security. Those without it will face secondary screening, which may include delays, extra steps or denied entry. TSA has advised against relying on secondary screening as a backup for same-day travel.

Starting May 7, services like TSA PreCheck and CLEAR will also require REAL ID–acceptable documentation to enroll.

What to Know Before You Go
May 7 marks the start of federal enforcement, not the last chance to apply. Oklahomans can still apply for a REAL ID after this date, but it’s important to know that the temporary paper ID provided at the time of application is not accepted for air travel. A REAL ID or other acceptable ID, like a passport, will be required to fly domestically or enter certain federal facilities beginning May 7, 2025.

Check your current license for a gold star in the upper right corner. If it’s not there, visit service.ok.gov/REALID to view the checklist and see what documents you’ll need, including proof of identity, two proofs of Oklahoma residency and any required name change or legal presence documents.

Most visits take less than 20 minutes once you're with an examiner. Appointments are not required during regular business hours at Service Oklahoma Licensing and Exam locations. Customers can use the live wait map to check in online and track their place in line.

Evening Hours Available by Appointment
REAL ID after-hour appointments are available from 6 to 8 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays through the end of the year at the following locations:

• Chickasha (1701 Frisco Ave.)
• Hinton (1802 N Broadway St.)
• Muskogee (1806 N York St.)
• OKC Classen (6015 N. Classen Blvd., Building 4)
• Stillwater (701 East 12th Ave.)
• Tulsa Eastgate (14002 E 21st St.)

For more information, visit service.ok.gov/REALID.

Service Oklahoma: Oklahomans Helping Oklahomans 
Service Oklahoma's mission is to ease the stress of navigating government services while providing a best-in-class customer experience. Service Oklahoma provides driver license and motor vehicle services on behalf of the state both online and in-person. Service Oklahoma’s partnership with licensed operators (formerly tag agents) provides essential services in all 77 counties at 270+ locations across the state.