• Starting May 7, 2025, Michigan residents will need a Real ID-compliant driver’s license or identification card for domestic flights and to enter certain federal facilities.
• Residents can obtain a Real ID by visiting a Secretary of State branch with required documentation, including proof of identity and legal presence.

Some Michigan residents who have Enhanced licenses may be wondering if those will satisfy the federal government’s requirement to have Real ID-compliant identification in order to fly domestically; here’s what you need to know ahead of the May 7 deadline.

Beginning May 7, residents in all states will need to comply with the new travel standards of the REAL ID Act of 2005 passed by Congress.

In Michigan, a compliant Real ID license will include a star either in a circle or silhouette of Michigan; or with the U.S. flag icon on the front. Michigan’s enhanced ID’s, which allow entry to and from Canada, Mexico and Bermuda, satisfy the federal statute’s requirements.

As the deadline nears, Michigan’s secretary of state said many people are obtaining the Real ID-compliant process.

“Michigan’s REAL ID conversion rate for the week of April 7 was a record-breaking 82.8%, the Michigan secretary of state office said in an April 16 release. “The REAL ID conversion rate for the same week in 2024 was just 19%.”

As residents continue to get their Real ID’s, here’s what to know:

When does Real ID take effect?

On May 7, 2025, Michigan residents will need a Real ID to fly domestically and federal facilities under federal law.

What is the difference between a Real ID and an Enhanced ID?

“Michigan’s old license and ID design, which is being phased out by January 2029, features a star in a gold circle to indicate REAL ID compliance,” the secretary of state said. “The state’s new license design features a star in a silhouette of Michigan. Both versions of the star are acceptable.”

Here are the two main differences between a standard Real ID and an enhanced ID:

• Enhanced ID’s can be used in place of a U.S. passport for travel by land or sea from Canada, Mexico, Bermuda or the Caribbean.
• Enhanced ID’s are marked with a U.S. flag icon on the front. (some ID’s have both the star and U.S. flag)
• Enhanced ID’s include the title “ENHANCED DRIVER’S LICENSE”

A standard Real ID-compliant licenses will have only a star either in a gold circle, or in a silhouette of Michigan in the top right corner.

“State-issued Enhanced Driver’s Licenses and identification cards (EDL/EID) are designated as acceptable border-crossing documents by DHS under the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative and are an acceptable alternative to a REAL ID for boarding a commercial aircraft, accessing federal facilities, and entering nuclear power plants,” the Department of Homeland Security said.

Five states that issue EDL/EIDs — Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Vermont and Washington.

Another difference is that the enhanced ID will allow some foreign travel while a simple Real ID license is only for use domestically.

What happens if I have an Enhanced ID, but it doesn’t have a star?

Enhanced IDs with a star or flag are automatically Real ID-compliant because they meet the Department of Homeland Security standards.

“According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, TSA agents at airports will recognize enhanced licenses or enhanced IDs as valid REAL ID documents, even without the star,” the Michigan secretary of state said.

If your ID does not include either versions of the star, the U.S. flag, or the word “ENHANCED” at the top of the card then it will not be accepted as proof of identity to board the plane, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security said.

How can you get Real ID in Michigan?

Book an appointment at your local secretary of state office to update your ID. Make sure you have these following documents with you:

• Your current Michigan driver’s license or ID.
• A valid, unexpired U.S. passport, birth certificate, or other proof of legal presence document.
• A certified legal name-change document, if your name is different from what is on your birth certificate.

You can book an appointment online through the state’s website or call (888) 767-6424.

Who needs a Real ID in Michigan?

Anyone planning to board a domestic flight or access federal facilities, military bases or nuclear power plants needs a Real ID. International travel will continue to require a passport, which also serves as Real ID compliant identification for domestic flights.

What are some Real ID alternatives?

TSA-approved Real ID alternatives include:

• U.S. passport
• U.S. passport card
• DHS trusted traveler cards (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST)
• U.S. Department of Defense ID, including IDs issued to dependents
• Border crossing card
• An acceptable photo ID issued by a federally recognized Tribal Nation/Indian Tribe
• HSPD-12 PIV card
• Foreign government-issued passport
• Canadian provincial driver’s license or Indian and Northern Affairs Canada card
• Transportation worker identification credential
• U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Employment Authorization Card (I-766)
• U.S. Merchant Mariner Credential
• Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC)

How did Real ID come about?

Real ID compliance is part of a larger act passed by Congress in 2005 to set “minimum security standards” for the distribution of identification materials, including driver’s licenses, USA TODAY reported.

The law means certain federal agencies, like the Transportation Security Administration or the Department of Homeland Security, won’t be allowed to accept state-issued forms of identification that don’t include a Real ID seal.

Is DHS trying to build a database of our personal information?

REAL ID is a national set of standards, not a national identification card, DHS said. REAL ID does not create a federal database of driver license information.

Each jurisdiction continues to issue its own unique license, maintains its own records, and controls who gets access to those records and under what circumstances.

Contact Sarah Moore @ smoore@lsj.com

The spring game took place last Saturday, but fans not in attendance were unable to immediately see the Michigan Wolverines in action. With the spring game being aired on tape delay — thanks a lot, transfer portal paranoia — fans all across the country had to wait more than a week to watch Bryce Underwood and company for the first time in 2025.

Now with the portal officially closed for the spring, the wait is nearly over. Here is how you can watch the 2025 spring game:

Maize vs. Blue Spring Game

• Day: Sunday, April 27, 2025
• TV: Big Ten Network
• Time: 11 a.m. ET

Not to spoil everything for you guys, but the Blue Team (Underwood’s team) beat the Maize Team, 17-0. Underwood completed 12-of-26 passes for 187 yards, one touchdown and one interception. His lone touchdown came on the final play of the game — an 88-yard trick play pass to tight end Jalen Hoffman, who had one hell of a spring game with seven catches for 148 yards and the touchdown.

Elsewhere, the running game looked like it will be the strength of the offense yet again. Justice Haynes ran for 51 yards on just six carries, which included a run where he bounced to the outside, beat the cornerback who was coming down to tackle him, and scampered for 26 yards down the left sideline.

Defensively, the front seven looked really impressive, with Rayshaun Benny and Dominic Nichols each collecting sacks. The linebackers were flying around, with sophomore Cole Sullivan and true freshmen Chase Taylor and Nathaniel Owusu-Boateng standing out to me, personally. The secondary also made some nice plays, with Jeremiah Lowe (2) and Tevis Metcalf (1) each getting at least one interception.

If you weren’t in attendance last Saturday, what are you most forward to seeing in the spring game when it airs on Sunday? Let us know down in the comments section below.

• Michigan basketball coach Dusty May participated in a home run derby for charity.
• The event raised over $100,000 for the American Cancer Society.
• The annual event has raised over $2 million since its inception.
• A silent auction featuring Michigan-related items is open until April 28.

As it turns out, Dusty May has a little pop in his bat.

The Michigan basketball coach spent his April 24 evening on Alumni Field at Carol Hutchins Stadium, participating as the celebrity in a home run derby. It was the 16th annual partnership between Michigan Softball Academy and the Michigan softball team, with proceeds from the event going to raise money toward fighting breast cancer. As of earlier this week, the charity work had raised more than $100,000 for the American Cancer Society.

Former Michigan softball coach Carol Hutchins came up with the idea in 2010, and it is something that she and current coach Bonnie Tholl have continued since.

The event began at 5 p.m. with members of the U-M softball squad leading preregistered participants, some of whom were breast cancer survivors themselves, through various drills and stations. After two hours of that, the derby began with a few select individuals — including May.

The coach attempted to downplay expectations — uttering a “don’t judge me” before he stepped to the plate — then belted a deep home run to the pull side, high off the wall behind the left field fence on his fourth swing. That was his big hit, though, with the rest resembling line drives.

“It was great to be a part of,” May said afterward.

Over the years, this fundraiser has generated more than $2 million for the American Cancer Society, according to Hutchins, who got the idea for it from former U-M football coach Lloyd Carr’s women’s football academy decades ago. If football could work, so could softball, Hutchins thought, so she contacted the ACS.

“I never thought it would be going for 16 years though or raise $2 million,” Hutchins said. “From what I understand, there’s no other college team that’s raised this type of money for the American Cancer Society.”

This year’s event is well over $100,000 through sponsorships alone. And it’s still going, with a silent auction for several Michigan-related items remaining open through April 28 — the final home U-M softball game of the regular season.

Some of the items in the silent auction:

Other notable U-M dignitaries were on hand as well, including College Basketball Hall of Fame coach John Beilein and Jill Martin of NBC’s “Today Show.”

“Yeah, it’s special,” Hutchins said. “It’s developed into a life of its own. It’s special to the community, so many season-ticket holders, our fanbase looks forward to it every year. … It means a lot that they donate their time.

“That’s the thing about Michigan, we have tremendous people who support us and we need to support them back.”

Tony Garcia is the Michigan Wolverines beat writer for the Detroit Free Press. Email him at apgarcia@freepress.com and follow him on X at @RealTonyGarcia.