Definition: REAL ID

REAL ID is a 2005 Act of Congress that established federal standards for state driver's licenses and other identification cards. REAL ID also deals with visa limits for temporary workers, bail bonds, asylum and deportation of aliens and border barriers. After October 1, 2020, any person boarding an airplane within the U.S. or entering a federal facility must have a REAL ID-compliant license, which displays a gold star in the upper right corner.