PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) – It’s less than one week away before you need a REAL ID to fly throughout the United States — but what is a REAL ID?

It is part of the REAL ID Act, which was passed by Congress in 2005. The act was created after recommendations from the 9/11 Commission. The REAL ID was established to have minimum security standards for state-issued drivers license and ID cards. The deadline falls on Wednesday, May 7.

The purpose of the REAL ID is for accessing certain federal facilities, boarding federally regulated planes and even entering nuclear power plants. 

Now for most people, getting a real ID will be so they can board a domestic flight and travel throughout the country. 

How do you know if you already have a real ID? You will see the star on the upper top corner of the card. If it does not have a star, it will not be accepted as proof to board a commercial plane. 

If you have a trip planned but cannot get your ID in time, your passport or a military ID will suffice. 

When 10 On Your Side was at the DMV in Portsmouth Wednesday morning, one person was there two hours early with a stool to be first in line. 

“The first time I came, it was a long, long line, and you had to wait. So I waited. But I realized that they asked for your passport. And of course, I didn’t have my passport, so I had to go all the way back home and get my passport,” said Margarat Jean Arthur. 

By 7 a.m., an hour before the DMV opened, a line had already formed. 

Click here to see the list of documents you need to bring to the DMV to get your real ID.