The Department of Motor Vehicles across Southern California is preparing to process last-minute Real ID applications.

Yes. Travelers must have a REAL ID to fly domestically on or after May 7, 2025.

With just hours until the deadline on Wednesday, Californians are rushing to their local DMV to secure their Real IDs, which will be necessary to board domestic flights or to get into federal buildings.

If you're flying in the next few days or weeks, be prepared for potential long lines at the airport as TSA starts taking a closer look at IDs. Driving the news: Wednesday is the first day a Real ID compliant license — or another acceptable document — is needed to board a commercial aircraft in the U.

The long-awaited REAL ID deadline will be here on May 7.