Arizona
Real ID second thoughts: Can you switch back to a standard Arizona license?
Real ID deadline: Here’s what you need to know about airline travel
Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego, Patricia Mancha of the Transportation Security Administration and Bill Lamoreaux of the state Department of Transportation explain the upcoming Real ID deadline of May 7, 2025, for Arizonans.
As the May 7 Real ID deadline looms closer, maybe you’ve gotten your Real ID and are having second thoughts.
Maybe you have security and privacy concerns about the ID − concerns that explain why the American Civil Liberties Union is opposed to Real ID enforcement.
Is it possible to switch back to a regular driver’s license if you have second thoughts about a Real ID?
It depends on the state.
In Arizona, where motorists have the option of selecting a standard license that is not federally compliant or selecting the Real ID-compliant Arizona Travel ID, those who have the Travel ID can switch back.
Still, demand for the Arizona Travel ID is high as people prepare for the rollout of the new rules for passing airport security and boarding airplanes. About 85% of Arizonans applying for drivers licenses are choosing the Travel ID instead of the standard license, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation.
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I have Real ID but I have second thoughts. Can I switch back?
Yes, you can switch back from Real ID to an ordinary Arizona driver’s license, ADOT spokesman Bill Lamoreaux said.
“The Arizona Travel ID (Real ID) is an option for those that fly domestically or need to access secure federal buildings such as the federal courts or military bases,” he said.
“The standard Arizona driver’s license or ID cards are still acceptable forms of identification for other purposes. Someone wishing to downgrade from the Arizona Travel ID to a standard credential would pay the age-appropriate fee” to obtain the ID, Lamoreaux said.
Those fees are as follows, according to ADOT:
- Age 50 and older: $10.
- Ages 45-49: $15.
- Ages 40-44: $20.
- Age 39 and younger: $25.
Michael Salerno is an award-winning journalist who’s covered travel and tourism since 2014. His work as The Arizona Republic’s consumer travel reporter aims to help readers navigate the stresses of traveling and get the best value for their money on their vacations. He can be reached at Michael.Salerno@gannett.com.
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