TSA has a big problem with one type of REAL ID | Official Website of Louis Velazquez, entrepreneur, finance guy and tech innovator

Travelers have been faced with a lot of changes at TSA lately. One of the biggest changes is the fact that REAL IDs are now required for flying.

Congress passed the REAL ID Act all the way back in 2006 with the goal of setting standards for issuing certain kinds of IDs, including driver’s licenses and other identification cards.

The Act was passed in response to a report by the 9/11 commission and aims to fight terrorism and fraud by establishing minimum security standards for states before IDs can be used.

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While the law was passed decades ago, TSA officials moved about as slowly as some TSA lines do in terms of actually moving forward with implementing REAL ID requirements.

In fact, it was not until May 7, 2025, that TSA officials started requiring REAL ID-compliant identification to get through security.

The TSA listed a number of different IDs that could meet the standards of this new requirement, with those options going beyond just state-issued enhanced driver’s licenses and passports.

However, recent reports indicate that one particular kind of REAL ID is creating problems and making life difficult for passengers.

Here’s what the problematic REAL ID is, along with some challenges flyers have faced as a result of the TSA’s issues.

Image source&colon; Jeff Greenberg/Getty Images

The TSA has problems with this kind of REAL ID

When the TSA listed alternatives to state-issued driver’s licenses that flyers could use to travel once REAL ID requirements went into effect, the agency included tribal identification cards.

Tribal IDs are recognized as a form of valid ID by the U.S. government, so it is not surprising that they made it onto the TSA’s list of acceptable identifying documents to travel with.

What is surprising, though, is that the TSA does not appear to actually be following its own policies with respect to this kind of identification.

In fact, The Travel reported at the end of July that the TSA is denying this identification for some flyers, despite the fact that it is perfectly legal, and that the TSA itself has listed it on its website.

The Traveler identified the issue based on several Reddit threads where posters complained about having significant problems using their valid identification at the airport now that REAL ID rules are in effect.

Flyers complain about the TSA rejecting their valid REAL IDs

The Reddit thread highlighting this issue was started by someone who was carrying a tribal ID and who was asked to provide alternative identification.

“The last few times I have flown, I have presented TSA with my federally recognized tribal ID, and have been told it isn’t valid,” the poster wrote. Every time, they swipe the ID, look at the screen, and tell me “nothing is popping up.” And force me to use another ID.

A number of other Redditors chimed in, with one saying he also travels with his tribal ID but has been denied on recent trips and had to wait for the initial TSA agent to call someone else to help him get through security.

Another commented that the Cherokee ID that members of their family have has caused problems not just at airports, but also in other places.

Why isn’t the TSA accepting tribal IDs?

It’s obviously a big problem that TSA is singling out this kind of ID for special treatment. However, there actually is a good reason for it.

The TSA’s “Tribal and Indigenous” page on its website has an explanation for what could potentially happen if you try to fly with this kind of ID.

“If your ID cannot be scanned by technology, you will be asked for a secondary ID that can be scanned. If you do not have a second ID, your Tribal ID will be inspected manually and cross-referenced with the Federal Register,” The TSA’s page reads.

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A person who claims to work for TSA also chimed in on the thread, reporting that sometimes the machines simply won’t accept an ID and there’s nothing that can be done about that except involving a manager who can help get the ID owner through without the scan.

So, while it may be frustrating to those using tribal IDs, the TSA’s denial may simply be a logistical issue. For those who have tribal IDs but also want to avoid a hassle, bringing another ID with you (if you have one) could be the path of least resistance.