Newly 18 and expired drivers permit

mmouse50

DIS Veteran
Joined
Feb 7, 2010
Messages
2,079
I am traveling with a newly 18 year old that doesnt have her TX drivers license- she does have her TX learners permit with picture but it expired in October. What should she take to the airport to get through TSA both in TX and FL? The expired permit and school id?

She is on her own reservation number not on mine.

Or who should I contact for assistance. I saw on the TSA website that you can get clearance at the airport before your flight but arrive 3 hours early (which wont really be possible on the TX end where we fly out of) - do you think that we could go to the airport prior to flight day and fill out the forms for clesrance?
 
Or who should I contact for assistance.

If she is 18 she will need to do the contacting I would presume...at this point she should renew her permit anyway, and ought to have a ID of some sort so she probably ought to high tail it to the MVA/DMV/whatever/wherever in your state to obtain that.
 

I am traveling with a newly 18 year old that doesnt have her TX drivers license- she does have her TX learners permit with picture but it expired in October. What should she take to the airport to get through TSA both in TX and FL? The expired permit and school id?

She is on her own reservation number not on mine.

Or who should I contact for assistance. I saw on the TSA website that you can get clearance at the airport before your flight but arrive 3 hours early (which wont really be possible on the TX end where we fly out of) - do you think that we could go to the airport prior to flight day and fill out the forms for clesrance?

You have two options. Get a state-issued identification card or go there 3+ hours earlier in order to be cleared by TSA.
 
Is this the Feb. trip? If so, she has time to get appropriate ID. Three choices:
1) renew the driver's permit
2) get a non-driver state ID
3) get a passport

If the trip is sooner, then she needs to get on this immediately or else find a way to arrive at the airport at least 3 hours ahead of departure.

I know it can catch you off-guard when a student turns 18, but always expect them to be held to the "adult" standards.
 
Last edited:
The best bet is to go to the TSA website and see what qualifies as "acceptable" ID. https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/identification
1733759283111.png
So, on a first look, the best bet is to get a new ID. If the trip's in February, there's no reason why this can't be done.

However, if the trip is too soon to get a new ID...
1733759359805.png

So it looks like the expired permit MIGHT suffice. I say "might" because it's a permit, not a DL. Best bet is to get a new ID.

And of course, if you don't have ID, you CAN still fly, just show up three hours ahead...
1733759405914.png

Best bet is to get a new ID. Is there a reason that's not an option?
 
If the expired permit is a hard card with a picture, you should be ok, but that would entirely up to the document checker at the head of the line. Best course of action is to get a hard card state ID. Shouldn't take more than a week or two. Otherwise plan on being at the airport very early.
 
The last thing you want is a headache at the airport. Why set yourself up for increased scrutiny when you can rectify it easily now?

Just get a new state ID (real ID even better if she’s not going to get her license), renew her permit, or get a passport.
 
Y'all are overthinking it. We have been told at 4 different airports quite clearly that an expired ID, within a year, is fine. And it was, in fact, fine, on each of those flights.

This isn't one of those things where an agent can make a different decision. It's clearly stated.

"TSA currently accepts expired ID up to a year after expiration, for the above listed forms of identification."

https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/identification
 
Y'all are overthinking it. We have been told at 4 different airports quite clearly that an expired ID, within a year, is fine. And it was, in fact, fine, on each of those flights.

This isn't one of those things where an agent can make a different decision. It's clearly stated.

"TSA currently accepts expired ID up to a year after expiration, for the above listed forms of identification."

https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/identification
Is a permit considered a "state issued ID"? I would think so, but it is a question. Again, the best thing to do is go get ID.
 
It's been so long since I had a learner's permit, but I thought mine was a flimsy piece of paper that said not valid for ID at the top.
 
It's been so long since I had a learner's permit, but I thought mine was a flimsy piece of paper that said not valid for ID at the top.
My kids permits probably would have sufficed. Looks like a normal DL, but somewhere had "permit" written on it. Once they passed the tests, they got a sticker put on that "made it" a DL.
 
It's been so long since I had a learner's permit, but I thought mine was a flimsy piece of paper that said not valid for ID at the top.

I’m in NJ and DD just got her DL last year. Her permit was a small blue card with her name and birthdate on it. No photo. Same for DS back in 2019 and when I started driving many moons ago. It’s definitely not able to be used as an ID.
 
Y'all are overthinking it. We have been told at 4 different airports quite clearly that an expired ID, within a year, is fine. And it was, in fact, fine, on each of those flights.

This isn't one of those things where an agent can make a different decision. It's clearly stated.

"TSA currently accepts expired ID up to a year after expiration, for the above listed forms of identification."

https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/identification
That's true. I think some people are wondering if there could be an issue because it's a permit rather than a full-fledged DL.

The TSA says "Driver's licenses or other state photo identity cards issued by Department of Motor Vehicles (or equivalent)" and a permit could be construed as a state photo ID but is that something TSA considers it to be. When I went on my cruise when I was 15 back then you could use a government issued ID along with your birth certificate (this was post 9/11 too) BUT my permit was not expired and technically I didn't need an ID for TSA as I was a minor.

The school ID should not be used because it's not been issued by a recognized entity.

Honestly if I was the OP I would just use one of the "Contact Us" features on TSA's website to know for sure. That way if the expired permit is okay it's okay, if it's not then it's not. Although I do agree with others the easiest thing would be to get a non-expired ID. There are many other situations someone may be in where their expired permit may not be accepted for age or photo verification.
 















Receive up to $1,000 in Onboard Credit and a Gift Basket!
That’s right — when you book your Disney Cruise with Dreams Unlimited Travel, you’ll receive incredible shipboard credits to spend during your vacation!
CLICK HERE













DIS Facebook DIS youtube DIS Instagram DIS Pinterest DIS Tiktok DIS Twitter

Back
Top