A 4-minute lesson from the Michigan course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.
REAL ID is a federal ID standard. Since May 7, 2025, you need a REAL ID-compliant document to board a domestic flight or enter certain federal sites. Getting one is optional — you only need it if you do those things and have no alternative, like a passport.
Know the rule
Beginning May 7, 2025, Michigan residents boarding a plane for domestic travel or entering certain federal facilities, military bases and nuclear power plants must present a REAL ID-compliant document.
REAL ID-compliant documents include licenses and IDs from states that meet federal REAL ID standards, and valid U.S. passports and passport cards. TSA lists acceptable documents at tsa.gov.
A compliant Michigan license or ID has a star in a gold circle or a star in an image of Michigan in the upper right-hand corner. Enhanced cards without a star are compliant and get a star when renewed or replaced.
A standard card says "Not for Federal Identification." It is still valid for driving and as ID for cashing checks, renting vehicles, buying age-restricted items and entering casinos.
After your documents are approved you take a vision test. You may also need a written knowledge test, a temporary instruction permit (TIP) and a driving skills test.
Licenses from another U.S. state, Canada, Germany or the Republic of Korea (South Korea) can be converted without the written knowledge test, TIP or driving skills test.
You move from South Korea with a valid Korean license. You bring your four proofs, pass the vision test and convert without the written test, TIP or skills test. Your neighbor's Ohio license expired five years ago, so she must get a TIP and pass a skills test.
Check your understanding
Read the question, decide on an answer, then open it to check the explanation. These are Roadwise study questions based on the source handbook.
Beginning May 7, 2025, what must Michigan residents present to board a domestic flight?
A Social Security card
A Michigan voter ID card
Any government-issued ID
A REAL ID-compliant document
Answer: A REAL ID-compliant document
Beginning May 7, 2025, Michigan residents boarding a domestic flight must present a REAL ID-compliant document.
You moved to Michigan from Germany with a valid German driver's license. What can you likely do?
You must wait one year before applying
You must retake driver's education from Segment 1
Convert it with no written, TIP, or skills test
You must first hold a TIP for 180 days
Answer: Convert it with no written, TIP, or skills test
Drivers from another U.S. state, Canada, Germany, or South Korea may convert their license without the written knowledge test, TIP, or driving skills test.
A REAL ID-compliant Michigan license is required for everyone, even people who never fly or enter federal facilities.
True
False
Answer: False
Applying for a REAL ID-compliant card is optional if you don't fly and don't plan to enter certain federal facilities, military bases, or nuclear plants.