WHY GETTING ON BASE TAKES LONGER NOW: REAL ID, VETTING, AND VISITOR CONTROL EXPLAINED

Base access can feel like an ever-changing process. With each update, people notice, but often don’t understand what caused the switch and why things are changing. Gate lines are longer, slower, and less predictable than before. Families who once “flashed a license and drove on” now encounter extra checks and procedures.

Security forces, base commanders, and federal policy all point to the same reality: getting on base in 2026 takes longer because the process and rules have changed, again.

REAL ID Became the New Baseline for Visitors

A major shift came when card-based REAL ID enforcement ramped up across airports, federal facilities, and military installations beginning in May 2025. Under this system, visitors to military bases must present either:

• A REAL ID-compliant driver’s license
• A U.S. passport
• Military or Official Government ID

For military families, retirees without DoD IDs, Veterans using on-base services, caregivers, contractors, and guests, REAL ID has become the default entry standard.

This is why many bases now specifically warn that older, non-compliant state licenses no longer guarantee entry, and why more visitors are being routed to Visitor Control Centers rather than waved through at the gate.

Visitor Control Centers Now Handle What the Gate Used to Do

The second big shift is the amount of work now happening at the Visitor Control Center (VCC) rather than at the guard shack.

Most VCCs now handle:

• Identity proofing and document checks
• REAL ID validation
• NCIC-III criminal history checks
• DBIDS enrollment or verification
• Local pass issuance tied to sponsor and purpose
• Contractor and vendor access requests
• “New visitor” onboarding before first entry

This creates a bottleneck even when everything works well. Limited hours, event traffic, and increased visitor volume lengthen VCC lines.

Once visitors are cleared, they’re issued a temporary pass or registered in DBIDS, which is then checked again at the gate.

Trusted Traveler Is No Longer Assumed or Universal

For years, many installations allowed a Trusted Traveler policy, which meant a CAC holder or DoD ID cardholder could vouch for adult passengers in their vehicle.

That flexibility has tightened significantly due to threat conditions and security incidents.

At many installations in 2025–2026:

• Trusted Traveler was fully suspended
• Trusted Traveler was reinstated with restrictions
• Trusted Traveler now changes with Force Protection Condition levels

When Trusted Traveler is restricted or suspended:

• Adult passengers without DoD credentials must get passes
• Visitor Control Centers handle those passes
• Gate processing slows down due to increased ID checks

This is one major reason gate lines are now longer, even during normal commutes.

Recent Gate Security Changes at Major Installations

Peterson Space Force Base and Schriever Space Force Base in Colorado suspended the Trusted Traveler program indefinitely. Escort authority was removed, and all unofficial visitors must obtain passes through the Visitor Control Center. This eliminates “ride-through” access and increases VCC processing volume.

Patrick Space Force Base in Florida reinstated the Trusted Traveler program in September 2025 with updated requirements. All passengers aged 18 and older must present REAL ID-compliant documentation, and the base reaffirmed 100 percent ID verification at the gate. This results in slower gate processing during peak periods.

Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson (JBER) in Alaska continues to keep the Trusted Traveler program suspended. All non-DoD visitors must process through the Visitor Control Center, and 100 percent ID checks are required. More visitors are routed to the VCC, increasing processing time for unescorted guests.

Fort Stewart in Georgia now limits Trusted Traveler privileges to specific daily hours. During off-hours, the base uses 100 percent ID checks and may require VCC processing. This hybrid model contributes to delays when visitor access occurs outside designated hours.

Fort Lee in Virginia requires Visitor Control Center passes for all first-time and non-DoD visitors as of January 2026. ID and sponsor verification are part of the intake process, making VCC processing a baseline access requirement.

Why Gate Lines Feel Worse Even When Everything Is Working

From outside the gate, it just looks like traffic. Inside, several factors are stacking up:

• REAL ID checks instead of quick license flashes
• More “first visit” stops at the VCC
• Suspended or restricted Trusted Traveler programs
• Higher contractor and vendor traffic on weekdays
• Graduations, appointments, and ceremonies draw large visitor volumes
• Limited VCC hours, especially on federal holidays and weekends
• 100% ID checks instead of spot checks
• Vehicle document checks for drivers and sponsors

These are standard operating conditions across many installations.

How Families, Visitors, and Sponsors Can Prepare

Getting on base isn’t just routine anymore; it’s a process. Here’s how to make it smoother:

Confirm your ID before you go.

Check whether your driver’s license is REAL ID-compliant. If not, bring a passport or other qualifying credential.

Look up the base’s Visitor Control Center page.

Each installation publishes its own process, hours, and sponsor requirements.

Build VCC time into your trip.

Medical appointments, school events, and graduations regularly create backlogs.

Don’t assume Trusted Traveler is active.

Policies can change for security reasons without much public notice.

Have your vehicle documents ready.

Drivers may still need a license, registration, and insurance.

Managing realistic modern security requirements means all hands on deck.

The Purpose Isn’t Friction, It’s Security

For families, retirees, and guests, the wait can be frustrating. But from the installation’s perspective, the system works the way it was designed.

Military installations are high-value targets. The extra few minutes at the gate are a byproduct of a security posture that is intentionally layered, redundant, and risk-aware. Tuck that note front-of-mind and keep base traffic moving in the safest way possible.

Suggested reads:

• Can Uber Eats Deliver on a Military Base? What's Allowed & What's Not
• The Military Justice "Gap" No One Talks About, and Why It Can Put You at Risk
• Which Branch of the Military Should I Join? What to Consider