The Secretary of State and members of the Maine legislature today announced that they have sent a letter to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) formally requesting a phased-in approach to the implementation of the Real ID Act. 

Beginning May 7, 2025, travelers will need a passport or Real ID to fly domestically. As of April 1, just over 27% of Mainers had a Real ID compliant driver’s license or state ID. While there has been a sharp uptick in the number of applications for Real IDs in recent months, according to recent estimates fewer than 50% of travelers at the Portland Jetport had a compliant ID. Passengers without a passport, REAL ID, military ID or other federal credential would be subject to a secondary screening. Given these numbers, it’s possible that the number of passengers at the Portland Jetport requiring secondary screening may be well beyond TSA capacity to process, potentially resulting in missed flights and congestion at the security checkpoints.  Maine officials are calling on TSA to issue warnings rather than bar Mainers from flying.  

“As we enter into the busy tourist season, the traffic at Maine airports will only increase, adding additional pressure and burden on airport security,” said Senator Tim Nangle, Senate Chair of Transportation Committee. “We urge DHS and the TSA to consider phasing in compliance by giving Mainers who do not have a Real ID, passport, military ID, or EAD a warning but let them still fly. We want to make sure Mainers are able to get where they need to go.” 

“The TSA has said that while passengers may be permitted to fly without a compliant ID, they would be required to go through a secondary screening,” said Rep. Lydia Crafts, House Chair of Transportation Committee. “Anyone who has flown from any of the airports in Maine, including the Portland Jetport, knows that the areas for security screenings are limited compared to larger, more urban airports. We are concerned that the anticipated volume of extra screenings may overwhelm TSA’s capabilities, causing concern for both safety and traveler inconvenience.”  

“Maine residents in rural areas, older Mainers, and those with less means are less likely to have already have a passport, which prior to May 7 has only been used for international travel,” said Senator Brad Farrin, Senate Republican Lead of the Transportation Committee. “We have seen that Mainers are motivated to get the credentials they need, but it will take time, especially for the more rural counties.”

“Maine has every intention of complying with the Real ID Act and is acting quickly to ensure as many Mainers as possible have a TSA-compliant credential in case they need to fly,” said Rep. Wayne Parry, House Republican Lead of the Transportation Committee. “But the same things that make Maine a wonderful place to live and a popular vacation destination also makes coming into compliance a difficult and time-consuming process. The facts are that Maine is a very large state with a spread-out population. It will take time, and we will get there. But we need TSA to give us the time to get there.” 

“There is no higher priority than ensuring travelers in and out of Maine are able to do so safely and securely. Remember, if you have a passport, you’re all set,” said Secretary of State Shenna Bellows. “The 13 Bureau of Motor Vehicles around the state have been processing a record number of applicants and will continue to do so until every Mainer who wants a Real ID driver’s license or state ID has one. We expect to see the number of Mainers with a TSA-compliant credential continue to increase exponentially this summer.”