Can you bring driver's license on a plane?
Also known as: state ID, driving permit, identity card
Allowed in cabin
Allowed in hold
Official TSA Rules & Reason
Your driver's license should be kept in carry-on baggage. You need a government-issued photo ID to pass security checkpoints.
Official TSA SourceTraveler Packing Tip
Keep driver's license in your carry-on bag so it stays safe, protected, and within arm's reach during your flight. Avoid checking high-value personal items.
Important Packing Guidelines
- ✓Must be REAL ID compliant starting from enforcement deadlines if flying domestically.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is driver's license allowed on a plane?▼
According to the TSA, driver's license is allowed in carry-on bags and allowed in checked baggage. Your driver's license should be kept in carry-on baggage. You need a government-issued photo ID to pass security checkpoints.
Can I bring driver's license in carry-on luggage?▼
Yes, driver's license is fully allowed in carry-on bags. Must be REAL ID compliant starting from enforcement deadlines if flying domestically.
Are there any special rules for packing driver's license in checked baggage?▼
In checked bags, driver's license is allowed without restrictions. Must be REAL ID compliant starting from enforcement deadlines if flying domestically.
TSA Officer Discretion
The final decision rests with the TSA officer on whether an item is allowed through the security checkpoint. Rules and regulations can vary depending on international travel destinations or dynamic airport security alert levels.
Reviewed by BringOnPlane Editorial Team
This document has been reviewed and verified by our travel reference editors. All statuses, notes, and guidelines are checked against live security feeds from the TSA (Transportation Security Administration) and FAA (Federal Aviation Administration).
Official Regulation Citations
49 CFR § 1540.111
TSA General Security Carriage Regulations — Transportation Security Administration (TSA)
This regulation mandates baggage safety constraints, hazardous materials classifications, or general prohibited carriage parameters for airline passengers flying within or into the United States.
Rule Change & Review History
Verified baggage allowance statuses and aligned conditions with TSA What Can I Bring updates.
Regulation Source