NY drivers license with the American flag ( bottom right) can I use this without my passport on my flight to MCO?

[dis2cruise]

Thanks

 

[focusondisney]

It sounds like you have a N.Y. State Enhanced license. Yea, that is acceptable for flying. It has more features than even the Real ID. We flew home Saturday from Orlando with no issues. There are more reports here.

Thread 'Enhanced id recognized at MCO?'

Feb 11, 2025

I am going to renew my license today at NY DMV and need to decide on the Real ID vs Enhanced. Even though I have no current plans to travel internationally, for $30 extra it's nice to have that option over the next 8 years. I know the Enhanced ID allows me to fly domestically after May 7th, but wondering if I'm likely to have an issue flying back from MCO this May because FL TSA may not be knowledgeable about the Enhanced ID?

• frannn
• Replies: 22
• Forum: Transportation

 

[dis2cruise]

Thanks

 

[Miffy]

@dis2cruise: I just came back from MCO yesterday and I have a NYS Enhanced driver license. I had zero problems with it, either at the NY airport or at MCO. I did have my passport with me just in case, but I never needed it.

 

[jimmymc]

Yes, the enhanced DL is a real ID.

 

[Miffy]

Yes, the enhanced DL is a real ID.

Yes. I think that's not actually the issue, though. The issue, as I understand it, is that apparently some TSA agents aren't aware that the Enhanced is also Real ID because the Enhanced NYS driver license has an American flag in the upper right, not the star that indicates Real ID. But, yes, it is Real ID.

 

[focusondisney]

Yes, the enhanced DL is a real ID.

But, yes, it is Real ID.

Technically it isn’t Real ID. It is Real ID compliant. They’re not completely interchangeable, Enhanced has additional benefits that Real ID doesn’t.

https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/news/new-york-enhanced-real-id/

 

[Miffy]

Technically it isn’t Real ID. It is Real ID compliant. They’re not completely interchangeable, Enhanced has additional benefits that Real ID doesn’t.

https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/news/new-york-enhanced-real-id/

Yes, that's correct. But for the purposes of traveling in the US the Enhanced works as a Real ID. The fact that you can use it for other things is irrelevant to the TSA agents at MCO.

Similarly, Global Entry works as TSA Pre. Yes, it does more than that but when you get in the TSA Pre line, they don't turn you away because you have Global Entry.

 

[jimmymc]

Technically it isn’t Real ID. It is Real ID compliant. They’re not completely interchangeable, Enhanced has additional benefits that Real ID doesn’t.

https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/news/new-york-enhanced-real-id/

Don't you think we're splitting hairs at this point? It gets OP on the plane.