In some states like mine (Kentucky), our licenses were deemed insecure enough that we had a deadline to switch everyone's IDs to Real ID just to be able to get a passport, or even enter federal buildings. I went ahead and made the switch, but still haven't renewed my expired passport. I like that I was able to switch the expirations from every 4 years to every 8 years. Getting together the required paperwork to get the Real ID wasn't that bad.
The real ID were extended in most states until May of 2025. Kentucky included. Old IDs would work until then.