Alabama STAR IDs will look like traditional driver licenses except with a gold star in the upper left corners.

Transportation Security Administration officials will not accept state-issued driver’s licenses or ID cards that are not REAL ID compliant. Under the new REAL ID enforcement rules, all airline passengers 18 and older will need REAL ID-compliant identification or another federally accepted ID at airport security checkpoints.

You'll need your passport or other approved forms of identification if you haven't gotten your REAL ID by the deadline.The REAL ID isn't mandatory if you aren't traveling, but TSA still recommends getting it in case you end up needing it.