New travel rules, same confusion: 'REAL ID' raises questions, concerns among college-aged travelers

The month of May kicks off the start of the U.S. summer travel season – and nowhere is that felt more acutely than on college campuses, where students are closing laptops, submitting finals and streaming off campus in droves.

However, some may not get past the airport, thanks to a federal ID rule taking effect just as school's out.

The Department of Homeland Security set the May 7 enforcement date for REAL ID last year, but the law itself has been delayed for nearly two decades. Congress passed it in 2005 – before most current college freshmen were even born. With the deadline landing right after spring semester ends, there is real concern that students heading home could be confused or caught flat-footed by the new requirements.

"We have tens of thousands of folks weekly that are showing up at our driver’s license centers to get the REAL ID," Pennsylvania Transportation Secretary ...