You don’t need a gold star on your US Virgin Islands driver’s license to fly today, but you will. Residents of US Virgin Islands must obtain their REAL IDs by May 7, 2025. After that, federal agencies will no longer accept identification cards and driver licenses issued without stars on them for passengers older than 18.
This is an extension from the original October 2021 date due to the COVID pandemic.
Department of Homeland Security’s Alejandro Mayorkas recently stated, “Extending the Real ID full enforcement deadline will give states needed time to reopen their driver’s licensing operations and ensure their residents can obtain a Real ID-compliant license or identification card.”
The USVI Bureau of Motor Vehicle (BMV) has stated that those without a star on their cards can continue to use their cards after May 7, 2025, but they will only be accepted for state-related purposes like driving, accessing hospitals, visiting the post office, applying for or receiving social security or veterans’ benefits, or banking transactions. For federal purposes, this identification will not be able to be used.
Not everyone in US Virgin Islands has a passport, especially if they don’t travel internationally. For domestic flights, a state-issued document like a driver’s license is all you need to fly.
However, according to a law called the REAL ID Act, air travelers in the United States will be required to use a driver’s license that complies with the Real ID requirements when traveling within the United States of America and the territories in the US jurisdiction beginning May 7th, 2025.
Other documents that people will be able to use are their passports or their U.S. Military cards. Most people use their license to get through security on domestic flights though.
This law means that your driver’s license MUST comply with TSA’s requirements for you to fly domestically. A complying license will have a star on it. Does yours?
Here is a great video on it from the Department of Homeland Security
Additionally, a REAL ID will be required to enter federal facilities in addition to the current identification requirements.
This is one of the new minimum security standards that will be used in federal buildings as well. As such, your domestic flight in the US will require a REAL ID.
Do you need a star on your license to fly into US Virgin Islands?
Yes, a star will be required for anyone traveling after May 7, 2025, in the 50 states, the US-controlled territories, and US Virgin Islands. The gold star indicates that your license has been certified as compliant with Federal REAL ID standards by the Department of Homeland Security.
As of May 7th, 2025, at least one REAL ID compliant credential or another form of identification will be required for domestic flights on commercial airlines in US Virgin Islands.
What does a US Virgin Islands REAL ID look like?
Most driver’s licenses issued in US Virgin Islands since October 2018 are REAL ID compliant, and the upper right-hand corner will display a gold star. If yours doesn’t have that star, just go back in and talk to them about getting one that does.
How to get the gold star on your US Virgin Islands license?
You will receive it on your new license when you renew your ID before the May 2025 deadline.
You may need to present more identification documents to get a REAL-ID compliant US Virgin Islands driver license or to be verified. These required documents include:
- Your social security
- An unexpired U.S. passport card or book, or the original of your Birth Certificate
- Title or registration for a US Virgin Islands vehicle
- Legal documents proving your name change from your birth name if your name has changed
- Policy or statement from your current car insurance company
Just call or visit your local BMV office to replace your old one with one that is certified REAL ID. Click here to find your closest USVI local office.
How much does it cost to get a US Virgin Islands REAL ID card or driver’s license?
US Virgin Islands REAL IDs cost between $15 and $55. There are different types and costs will vary. Below are the different prices for IDs and licenses. You can also go to the USVI BMV site here.
| Real ID Driver’s License/ Identification Card (Adult) | $55.00 |
| Real ID Driver’s License/ Identification Card (Senior) | $24.50 |
| Real ID Identification Card (Minor) | $20.00 |
| Identification Card (Adult) | $35.00 |
| Identification Card (Minor) | $15.00 |
What does a gold star on your US Virgin Islands driver’s license mean?
The gold star certifies that you have met the Real ID Act requirements. This means that the citizenship of the holder has been verified by the state department that issued the REAL ID.
A star will appear in the top right corner of your Real ID license or non-driver identification card to indicate that this document can be used for federal identification.
Your US Virgin Islands driver’s license card will likely be REAL ID compliant if it was issued after October 2018 and has a gold star in the right-hand corner. Your compliant card can be used as a form of federal identification until it expires.
US Virgin Islands residents are given a gold star in the corner of their licenses upon getting their first license or renewing one they already have. This indicates compliance with new DHS REAL ID regulations. TSA checkpoints will require identification compliant with those regulations from all passengers after May 7, 2025.
Does REAL ID replace my US Virgin Islands driver’s license?
It will replace your current driver’s license, yes. And then you will use it as a driver’s license going forward.
It is a driver’s license. It just ensures that each person that receives it has met some minimum guideline the federal government has established for identification purposes.
What’s the star on your US Virgin Islands license for?
It indicates that your license is compliant and can be used anywhere a REAL ID is required for federal purposes. Flights, military bases, and nuclear power plants are a few of these places.
What is the REAL ID Act?
It is a federal law that requires states to issue driver’s licenses and ID cards that meet minimum security standards and prohibits federal agencies from accepting licenses and ID cards issued by states that don’t meet those standards.
It states as of May 7, 2025, REAL IDs will be required to board domestic flights or enter secure federal facilities.
Your Real ID Driver License or Non-Driver ID Card will be marked with a star in the top right corner or will have an American flag on it or the word “Enhanced” to indicate it qualifies for use as federal identification.
If your current identification card or license doesn’t qualify, so long as it hasn’t expired, it will be accepted until May 7, 2025.
Do I need a REAL ID card in US Virgin Islands?
Yes, they will be mandatory as of May 7, 2025, for international travel or domestic flight or to enter a secured federal facility. Until then you can use your current driver’s license or card that you have been using.
Do I have to get a REAL ID in US Virgin Islands?
Getting a REAL ID is not mandatory but is encouraged.
A REAL ID is optional and is not needed for the following:
- Receiving Federal benefits
- Driving a car
- Accessing or entering hospitals and health clinics, law enforcement, or accessing court proceedings
- Voting
- Entering Federal facilities that do not require identification
Do you need a REAL ID to travel to US Virgin Islands?
Yes, US Virgin Islands will begin to require the use of a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or state identification card starting on May 7, 2025, for those traveling with commercial airlines. A REAL ID is indicated by a gold star in the upper right-hand corner of the ID, driver’s license, or another appropriate form of identification.
U.S. citizens and permanent residents are not required to have a passport to visit St. Thomas, St. Croix and St. John, all United States Territories. It is necessary for your license to be REAL ID compliant.
The U.S. Congress introduced this law in 2005. It was one of the security measures put in place in the wake of one of the most significant attacks against the United States of America on its land, 9/11.
It is meant to set minimum standards of security for identification documents issued. These documents include identification cards and driver’s licenses.
From May 7, 2025, you will need a gold star on your driver’s license or ID card for federal agencies such as TSA to board a federally regulated commercial aircraft. This will be the acceptable form of federal ID and ensure they are REAL ID compliant.
Is my US Virgin Islands driver’s license REAL ID compliant?
Your US Virgin Islands driver’s license is REAL ID compliant if it has a gold star in the upper right corner of it. See the pictures above to see examples of the gold star.
If you don’t have one, it is easy to get one. Just keep reading.
Can you fly without a REAL ID in US Virgin Islands?
You can fly without a REAL ID right now, but you won’t be able to after May 7, 2025. Not only will you need to have one to board commercial flights, but to visit military bases, federal courthouses that require federal identification, nuclear sites, or other federal facilities like federal prisons.
Have more questions?
USA Federal Resources
If you have additional questions, the Department of Homeland Security has a great FAQ here.
Additional information can be found on the Department of Homeland Security’s site here: state compliance and state implementation
You can also contact the Transportation Security Administration: 866-289-9673
US Virgin Islands Resources
To view information from The US Virgin Islands Burea of Motor Vehicle (BMV) website including time-saving tips, licensing locations, documentation requirements, fees, and other helpful federal and state resources please click HERE.
Additional details about getting a driver’s license can be found HERE as well.
Here is contact information for each of the specific islands:
St. Thomas (340) 774-4268
St. Croix (340) 713-4268
St. John (340) 776-6262
Email: [email protected]
Does your US Virgin Islands driver’s license have a star on it?
To check whether you have a REAL ID compliant driver’s license, check near the upper right-hand corner of your card. It will be a gold circle with a white star in it.
If your license isn’t from US Virgin Islands and it doesn’t have a star in the upper right corner, know that some other states already have enhanced their licenses to comply with the Real ID requirements. Such enhanced licenses do not have a star, but they have the United States of America flag on them or say “Enhanced”.
Your license doesn’t meet the requirements if it has any of the phrases below on it:
“Federal Limits Apply”
“Not For Federal Identification”
“Not For Federal Purposes”
Is US Virgin Islands DMV issuing Real ID?
US Virgin Islands residents now have the option of obtaining a US Virgin Islands driver’s license or ID card that complies with the federal Real ID Act.
Does my Real ID work when I travel to a country that is not within the jurisdiction of the United States?
It does not. Passports are still required for any travel outside the United States jurisdiction.
Do I need a REAL ID to fly to US Virgin Islands in 2023?
You will need one to fly there after May 23rd, 2023. So it is best to look into what you need to get your REAL ID.
We have a detailed page for every state and US territory with all the information and links to your local resources here on Travelonthefly. Check em out.
Do I need either a passport or REAL ID to fly to US Virgin Islands?
US Virgin Islands does not require passports for U.S. citizens to enter; however, you will need to present proof of residency or citizenship upon your return. A passport is a really easy way to do that.
Do I need a REAL ID to fly to St Thomas?
Today you don’t. But St Thomas will begin to require the use of a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or state identification card starting on May 7, 2025, for those traveling with commercial airlines. Your passport will also work. As it always has, as a form of ID . So if you are using a passport as your primary means of ID to fly, you don’t need to worry about having a REAL ID to fly to St Thomas.
What ID do you need for St Thomas?
St Thomas and all the US Virgin Islands (St. John, St. Croix, and St. Thomas.)
are U.S. territories, and as such U.S. citizens do not need a passport to visit. Just make sure you have some form of picture ID like a driver’s license.
Do I need a REAL ID to go to St Croix?
Today you don’t. But St Croix will begin to require the use of a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or state identification card starting on May 7, 2025. Your passport will also work. As it always has, as a form of ID. So if you are using a passport as your primary means of ID to fly, you don’t need to worry about having a REAL ID to fly to St Croix.
Do I need a REAL ID to go to St John?
Today you don’t. But St John will begin to require the use of a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or state identification card starting on May 7, 2025. Your passport will also work. As it always has, as a form of ID. So if you are using a passport as your primary means of ID to fly, you don’t need to worry about having a REAL ID to fly to St John.
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