Wednesday, May 7 is the first day a Real ID compliant license — or another acceptable document — is needed to board a commercial aircraft in the U.S. Why it matters: If you aren't Real ID compliant, you may experience longer wait times at the airport,

Transportation Security Administration officials will not accept state-issued driver’s licenses or ID cards that are not REAL ID compliant. Under the new REAL ID enforcement rules, all airline passengers 18 and older will need REAL ID-compliant identification or another federally accepted ID at airport security checkpoints.

As of May 7, travelers flying domestically in the U.S. must present a REAL ID-compliant form of identification at airport security checkpoints or expect to go through additional security measures.

US travelers are required by law to have a Real ID (or other acceptable form of identification) in order to fly domestically. If you're traveling and have forgotten to get your Real ID, you'll still be able to fly,

With the "deadline" for REAL ID less than two weeks away, here's what NC residents should know about travel after May 7.