ID for travel

[suzzzze]

My grandson will be flying soon. He is 17 now but will turn 18 before his return flight home. He does not have a drivers licsense yet but has a high school ID. Since he's not required to show ID when he leaves because he is 17, will it be required when he returns because he will now be 18?

 

[Jimsig]

This is what TSA says anybody over 18 needs. I don't see an exception for someone who leaves when they are 17 and comes back at 18.

https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/identification

However it also says this on that page:

Forgot Your ID?​

In the event you arrive at the airport without valid identification, because it is lost or at home, you may still be allowed to fly. The TSA officer may ask you to complete an identity verification process which includes collecting information such as your name, current address, and other personal information to confirm your identity. If your identity is confirmed, you will be allowed to enter the screening checkpoint. You will be subject to additional screening, to include a patdown and screening of carry-on property.

You will not be allowed to enter the security checkpoint if your identity cannot be confirmed, you choose to not provide proper identification or you decline to cooperate with the identity verification process.

TSA recommends that you arrive at least two hours in advance of your flight time.

If your state DMV offers a photo ID for those not driving (I think most do) you may want to get him one of those to be safe.

 

[nw6675]

Jimsig beat me to posting it, but wanted to add that I had a first hand experience with TSA of not having an ID to fly back. I lost it somewhere in Tampa and did not realize until the day I needed to fly home. I had to go through a special pat down, answer some questions, and had to show a check with my name on it (wow - for some reason I actually had a checkbook on me!) and maybe a credit card, too.

 

[dieumeye]

I second the advice to just go to the DMV and get a non-driver ID. It's good to have an ID anyway, so there's not any harm done.

Also, this is still a ways out, but in May 2023 air travelers in the US will be required to have a REAL-ID compliant ID, so assuming he lives in a state that's already issuing REAL-ID compliant IDs, it'll not only be good to have, but it'll be necessary for flights after May 2023.

 

[kristenrice]

I got state-issued ID’s for my daughters when they were 12 and 14. It got them in the habit of carrying ID with them wherever they went. I got them the “enhanced” ID’s which also made it easier when we went to get them their TSA Pre-Check numbers.