TSA Rejects Some Maine Real IDs Over Scanning Glitch

Some travelers in Maine are facing unexpected problems at airport security checkpoints as certain Real ID-compliant driver’s licenses are being rejected by Transportation Security Administration (TSA) scanners.

The Maine Secretary of State’s office confirmed that a “tiny fraction” of IDs issued by the state have failed to scan properly, causing TSA agents to treat them as if they were fake. Officials emphasized that the issue is rare and that no travelers have missed flights as a result.

According to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV), the glitch was traced back to one of Maine’s instant-issue printing machines, which has since been fixed. Impacted travelers are being advised to contact the BMV for a free replacement.

The problem has persisted sporadically for several months and mirrors a similar Real ID scanning issue reported in New Hampshire earlier this year. The TSA has encouraged passengers to carry a backup form of identification—such as a U.S. passport, foreign passport, or permanent resident card—to avoid disruptions. Temporary driver’s licenses are not accepted for travel.

Compounding the problem, some Maine residents have also reported that their Real IDs failed to scan at rental car counters and gas stations. A resident posting on Reddit claimed that Hertz rejected their ID for not scanning, highlighting broader reliability concerns.

Despite the glitches, TSA says “95% of Maine travelers” carry compliant documents. Maine’s Real ID adoption rate has risen from just 27% before the federal mandate to 32% as of July 1.

Real ID-compliant identification has been required for domestic flights and access to federal facilities since May 7. Meanwhile, the TSA is rolling out new PreCheck options that use facial recognition at 15 U.S. airports, streamlining the screening process for travelers flying with airlines including American, Delta, United, and Alaska.

Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, nypost.com