A major change for travelers goes into effect tomorrow.

Anyone over the age of 18 will need a Real ID to board a domestic flight or access certain federal buildings.

A valid U.S. passport is also acceptable, but the rollout comes 20 years after the Real ID Act was passed by Congress following recommendations from the 9/11 Commission.

It was delayed multiple times, though, over the years.

The Transportation Safety Administration says without a Real ID or other acceptable form of ID, you're likely to face more screening times and travel delays.

For more on what you need to know, I'm joined by Adam Stahl.

He's a senior official performing the duties of deputy administrator at the TSA.

Adam, good to talk to you.

I think the thing most on travelers' minds is, what happens if I show up and I don't have this Real ID and I don't have a valid passport?

First, thank you for having me.

If you do not have a Real ID or a sufficient alternative, you may be subject to additional screening measures.

But if you have that noncompliant state-issued ID, the most important thing is you'll be OK. You'll get through checkpoint.

But please leave yourself additional time.

You may be subject to additional screening, and it may take some time.

But please save some time if you do have that noncompliant state-issued ID.

Yeah, I mean, I know here in New Jersey, the Motor Vehicle Commission and elsewhere have been completely inundated with folks, just overwhelmed with folks trying to get the ID.

How has the TSA made sure that the public is both aware and prepared?

Yeah, so this has been a whole society effort.

We're working hand in glove, close conjunction with our local and state DMVs, local and state municipalities and cities and states, working closely with the airports, the airlines, as well as the broader federal government and the population.

So this has been a full-court press, whole-of-society effort.

And we really, really appreciate the support, specifically from the state DMVs.

I know they have been really expanding their hours of operation for enrollment, both on Saturdays and the weekends, as well as at night.

So we really appreciate the support.

This is really important, really, to ensuring the collective security for the American public.

There's been a lot of talk, Adam, about the fact that New Jersey lags the rest of the nation in terms of being Real ID compliant, but that we have the most folks with valid U.S. passports.

So do those people need to worry about rushing to get an appointment?

I mean, how long do they have to make sure that they're compliant?

Well, I always urge, and I want to continue to urge individuals to really prioritize enrollment for the DMV.

I know New Jersey, as you rightly mentioned, has a high passport enrollment rate.

So passports are a sufficient alternative.

So they shouldn't have anything to worry about when going through the airport.

So they should be OK.

But I do want to underscore that it is important for the public, for the aviation security space and for the broader transportation security space for everyone to go out and get the Real ID.

I'm thinking about the fact that we have mobile credentials now.

We have digital IDs.

It has taken 20 years for this law to now be implemented.

Are we at risk of this technology already being outdated and not providing the security that it was intended to?

We're focused on enforcement.

And I really think that this makes us safer and more secure and really brings enhanced identity and document integrity.

As you mentioned, mobile identity, mobile security, driver's licenses are, of course, becoming more and more popular.

And there are a lot of questions about whether they're Real ID compliant or not.

And I would just urge, if you have any questions or concerns ahead of travel and you have a mobile driver's license, to please engage and double-check with your local state DMV or check on TSA.gov if you have any more questions.

Is the TSA planning to put more agents on the ground in these next couple of weeks for folks who may have questions or for delays and people who are still unaware that this has been rolled out?

Yes, so we are prepared.

I will say I don't want to get into any sort of operational planning for kind of footprint security purposes, but we are prepared.

We have been proactively, proactively planning.

And we really don't anticipate significant issues.

If you have a Real ID or a sufficient alternative, you will be able to get through the checkpoint uninterrupted.

If you have a noncompliant state DMV -- ID, excuse me -- I want to underscore this, you will be OK. You will get through checkpoint.

It just may be some additional screening measures that you may be susceptible to, and, in turn, some additional time.

So, really want folks to please plan accordingly, leave some additional time, especially if you have a noncompliant state form of ID.

You know, obviously, here in New Jersey, Newark Airport has been experiencing some issues not related to Real ID, but with the FAA.

What's your message for folks who are already anticipating wait times, long delays and things like that now coinciding with this new ID rolling out?

So, we -- of course, as you mentioned correctly, FAA is not -- air traffic controllers are not in TSA's purview.

However, we are focused on Real ID enforcement.

We work hand in glove also with our federal partners, like the FAA.

And we are confident -- what I will say to travelers is, as always, to be patient, be respectful, and to please leave plenty of time before travel ahead, particularly of a busy summer travel season.

Yeah, busy week at the TSA for you all.

Adam Stahl, senior official performing the duties of deputy administrator.

Adam, thanks so much.

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