Does REAL ID technology work? When it doesn't, TSA has a solution to verify identity

Travelers have needed REAL ID to fly for nearly five months. Recently, The Courier-Journal reported, some flyers are still running into issues.

Travelers arrive at the departures gate Wednesday, May 7, 2025, at Indianapolis International Airport.

Here's a look at what our partners in Louisville found out.

What problems have travelers reported with REAL ID?

Photo-scanning technology, called biometrics technology, has been implemented in recent years at airport security checkpoints over the country to improve security and efficiency. In theory, a flyer can go through TSA where a picture is taken and compared to the photo on the flyer's REAL ID. Some flyers, however, have reported problems with the technology working as intended.

Louisville resident Peter Resnik and his son both experienced issues with the photos on their REAL IDs matching the airport's facial recognition technology. Resnik, who has had his REAL ID for around a year, first experienced an issue when flying out of New Orleans.

"When you go up there, they now have this optional system where they take your picture and then they try to match it up in their system," Resnik said.

Issue caused slight delay for one traveler

The airport staff told Resnik his picture ID did not match the one in the system, so a supervisor had to come over to approve him to fly. It held him up for nearly 10 minutes until someone was available to do a manual check.

"When I've done it a number of times since then, I just say 'Hey, I want to do a manual check,' it's never a problem, they look at it and you go through," Resnik said.

Resnik has not had any incidents since he started opting out of the live photo at TSA. The issue occurred again, however, when he was flying with his son over the summer. His son was stopped with his Kentucky REAL ID with the same issue.

"The only thing I picked up from ... one of the TSA people is they think the photograph is too light and it doesn't read it," Resnik said.

Resnik wondered if he needed to replace his Kentucky REAL ID.

He contacted the transportation department in Frankfort, where he said it seemed as if the department had a prepared response. Resnik was told to go back to a local driver licensing office and get a new REAL ID, free of cost.

"I quickly realized I must not be the only one because they had a prepared answer for that," Resnik said.

While airport officials said they were not aware of the issue when contacted by The Courier Journal, Kentucky Transportation Cabinet officials said there have been some reports to their office and already have a process in place to help affected travelers.

"Regarding TSA concerns, we are aware that there have been infrequent reports of card reading issues due to photo lighting. In those cases, cards are replaced at no cost," KYTC Office of Public Affairs Executive Director Naitore Djigbenou said in a statement.

How can I avoid issues when flying with REAL ID?

Issues with REAL ID photos scanning are not limited to Kentucky. If travelers find themselves in a similar experience as Resnik, the national TSA website has information on what to do.

Because the in-airport biometrics photo scan is optional, flyers are able to opt-out to avoid any potential setbacks that come with flying with the REAL ID.

In this case, an officer will approach the flyer at the security checkpoint and manually verify their identity.

"If TSA is unable to obtain a match through facial comparison technology, the TSA officer will use standard passenger identity verification procedures," according to the official TSA website.

How to make an Indiana BMV appointment

Travelers can still get their REAL ID cards at the Bureau of Motor Vehicles. Find branch locations and hours and schedule an appointment at in.gov/bmv.

Leo Bertucci contributed to this report.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Does REAL ID technology work? When it doesn't, TSA has a solution to verify identity