---
kind: "section"
citation: "6 C.F.R. § 37.5"
title: "6"
number: "37.5"
heading: "Validity periods and deadlines for REAL ID driver's licenses and identification cards."
url: "https://uscodex.org/cfr/6/37.5"
---

# §37.5. Validity periods and deadlines for REAL ID driver's licenses and identification cards.

- (a) Driver's licenses and identification cards issued under this part, that are not temporary or limited-term driver's licenses and identification cards, are valid for a period not to exceed eight years. A card may be valid for a shorter period based on other State or Federal requirements.
- (b) Except as provided in [paragraph (d)](#d) of this section, on or after May 7, 2025, Federal agencies shall not accept a driver's license or identification card for official purposes from any individual unless such license or card is a REAL ID-compliant driver's license or identification card issued by a State that has been determined by DHS to be in full compliance as defined under this subpart.
- (c) Through the end of May 6, 2025, Federal agencies may accept for official purposes a driver's license or identification card issued under [§ 37.71](/cfr/6/37.71.md). Except as provided in [paragraph (d)](#d) of this section, on or after May 7, 2025, Federal agencies shall not accept for official purposes a driver's license or identification card issued under [§ 37.71](/cfr/6/37.71.md).
- (d) Federal agencies may implement the requirements of paragraphs [(b)](#b) and [(c)](#c) of this section through a phased enforcement plan if the agency determines phased implementation is appropriate. Federal agencies that implement phased enforcement plans authorized by this [paragraph (d)](#d) must:
  - (1) Make a determination that a phased enforcement plan is appropriate in consideration of relevant factors including security, operational feasibility, and public impact;
  - (2) Coordinate the phased enforcement plan with DHS;
  - (3) Make the phased enforcement plan publicly available on the agency's web page; and
  - (4) Achieve full enforcement of the requirements of paragraphs [(b)](#b) and [(c)](#c) of this section no later than May 5, 2027.
- (e) DHS will make publicly available on the DHS REAL ID web page a list of agencies that have coordinated phased enforcement plans with DHS pursuant to [paragraph (d)](#d) of this section.

## Notes

### Amendments

[73 FR 5331, Jan. 29, 2008, as amended at 79 FR 77838, Dec. 29, 2014; 84 FR 55019, Oct. 15, 2019; 85 FR 23208, Apr. 27, 2020; 86 FR 23240, May 3, 2021; 88 FR 14476, Mar. 9, 2023; 90 FR 3503, Jan. 14, 2025]

### Authority

Authority: 49 U.S.C. 30301 note; 6 U.S.C. 111, 112.

### Source

Source: 73 FR 5331, Jan. 29, 2008, unless otherwise noted.

### Amendments

[73 FR 5331, Jan. 29, 2008, as amended at 79 FR 77838, Dec. 29, 2014; 84 FR 55019, Oct. 15, 2019; 85 FR 23208, Apr. 27, 2020; 86 FR 23240, May 3, 2021; 88 FR 14476, Mar. 9, 2023; 90 FR 3503, Jan. 14, 2025]