REAL ID Deadline is Coming—Here’s When & Where to Get Yours in Louisiana

LAFAYETTE, La. (KPEL News) - If you haven’t upgraded to a REAL ID, now’s the time to take it seriously.

Starting May 7, 2025, you won’t be able to board a domestic flight or enter certain federal buildings without one—or another acceptable form of identification, like a passport.

READ MORE: Thousands in Louisiana Could Be Banned From Flying as of May 2025

To help residents get REAL ID-compliant, the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV) is opening select field offices on three Saturdays this spring for walk-ins and appointments.

If standing in an OMV line on a Saturday sounds painful, don’t worry—you can book an appointment online at www.expresslane.org/appointments to make the process smoother.

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When & Where to Get Your REAL ID

The following OMV field offices will be open from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on these dates:

📅 Saturday, March 15
📅 Saturday, April 12
📅 Saturday, May 3

📍 Locations:

• Alexandria
• Baton Rouge
• Houma
• Lafayette
• Lake Charles
• Livingston
• New Orleans (Veterans Blvd.)
• Monroe
• Shreveport
• Westbank - Oakwood Center

What Happens If You Don’t Get a REAL ID?

If your Louisiana driver’s license or ID card doesn’t have the gold circle with a star cutout in the top right corner, it won’t be valid for:

✈️ Boarding domestic flights (TSA won’t let you through security without a compliant ID or a passport).
🏛️ Entering federal buildings that require identification.
🏰 Accessing military bases and certain other restricted facilities.

You’ll need a valid passport or another federally accepted ID instead. If you don’t travel much, this may not seem like a big deal—but if you show up at the airport on May 8, 2025, expecting to fly with an outdated ID, you’ll have a rude awakening at security.

How to Get Your REAL ID

Getting a REAL ID-compliant license or ID requires a visit to a Louisiana OMV field office or a Public Tag Agent location. You’ll need to bring a few documents, and if you’re unsure what’s required, LOUIE, the Louisiana OMV virtual assistant, can help at www.expresslane.org/REALID.

If your license is up for renewal, you can upgrade to a REAL ID at the same time. Not eligible for renewal yet? No problem—you can apply for a duplicate license that meets REAL ID standards.

Skip the Lines: Make an Appointment

Nobody loves a trip to the OMV, but booking an appointment will save you time. Head to www.expresslane.org/appointments to schedule a slot at your nearest participating field office.

For more details on REAL ID requirements, accepted documents, and FAQs, check out:
🔗 www.dhs.gov/real-id (Federal REAL ID info)
🔗 tsa.gov/id (TSA guidelines for acceptable IDs)

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Final Reminder

The deadline is set: May 7, 2025. That might feel like a long way off, but you don’t want to be scrambling at the last minute or—worse—stuck at the airport unable to board your flight. Take advantage of these special Saturday openings and get your REAL ID now.

Because let’s be real—nobody wants to deal with TSA drama when it could’ve been avoided with a quick trip to the OMV.