WASHINGTON (AP) — Travelers who aren’t REAL ID compliant by the upcoming deadline this week will still be able to fly but should be prepared for extra scrutiny, the head of Homeland Security said Tuesday.

Kristi Noem told a Congressional panel that 81 percent of travelers already have IDs that comply with the REAL ID requirements. She said security checkpoints will also be accepting passports and tribal identification when the deadline hits Wednesday. 

Those who still lack an identification that complies with the REAL ID law “may be diverted to a different line, have an extra step,” Noem said.

“But people will be allowed to fly,” she said. “We will make sure it’s as seamless as possible.”

The Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) will allow Nevadans needing a Real ID with flights within 45 days to walk-in between 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. from Mondays to Saturdays. Offices allowing walk-ins are based in Reno, Carson City, and in Las Vegas at the Sahara, Flamingo, Decatur and Henderson offices. 

Those wishing to walk-in will need proof of flight information.

REAL ID is a federally compliant state-issued license or identification card that Homeland Security says is a more secure form of identification. It was a recommendation by the 9/11 Commission and signed into law in 2005.

The commission recommended the government set security standards for state-issued driver’s licenses and IDs. It was supposed to be rolled out in 2008 but implementation has been repeatedly delayed.

Besides needing a REAL ID to fly domestically, people will also need one to access certain federal buildings and facilities.

In recent weeks, Noem has been warning the American public about the upcoming deadline. In a television ad put out by Homeland Security, she warned that these IDs were needed for air travel and for entering public buildings, adding: “These IDs keep our country safe.”

A REAL ID-compliant driver’s license has a symbol (in most states including Nevada, a star) in the top corner of the card.

The Nevada DMV says those who currently possess an unexpired military ID or passport do  not need to visit an office immediately since they are still accepted at airport security checkpoints. 

“There are many misconceptions about who needs a Real ID, and customers who assumed the date would move again were not worried about the previous deadlines,” DMV Director Tonya Laney said in a Friday statement. “Well, we are now seeing panic creep in amongst Nevadans who are trying to get their Real IDs. This is a problem for the rest of the customers in the state who already had appointments to get their regular DMV business done.”

Lizzie Ramirez with The Nevada Independent contributed to this report.