Real ID requirements started 20 years ago, which I suppose is “recent” in government terms, but not really. In some states everyone has already had a Real ID compliant license for years. In others, notably California, they’ve been kicking the can down the road the entire time.
Well this year supposedly they are finally going to be required at airports so it’s really real :-)
I mean, they say they're going to start enforcing RealID 'requirements' this month, but given how often it's been delayed, and the current executive, I think it's fair to wait and see.
Real ID hasn't been required at all. I still don't have one and I just got a new license last year.