Final answer:
A California federal non-compliant card differs from a REAL ID in that it does not meet the federal standards for security and identification set by the Real ID Act of 2005, making it unusable for certain federal purposes like boarding commercial airlines, while the REAL ID does.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Real ID Act of 2005 is a federal law that has introduced new standards for state-issued driver's licenses and identification cards to enhance homeland security. A California federal non-compliant card does not meet these standards and therefore cannot be used for certain federal purposes, such as boarding commercial airlines. In contrast, a REAL ID compliant card includes standardized anti-fraud security features, specific data, and machine-readable technology, and requires the state to verify the identity of individuals reissued with these compliant cards. Although compliance with the Real ID has been challenging and expensive for many states, all fifty states and the District of Columbia were ultimately certified as compliant.