ID question for those who've flown out of Newark in the last few weeks...

[phyllis1966]

Hi - my DFIL told me of a news article he read the other day in which a woman (who was flying from Newark Airport to Orlando) was not allowed to board the plane because her NJ driver's license was not one of the new, digitized ones! Has anyone had any experience with this? It sounds crazy to me! I know that from now on we will have to show extensive proof of our identity in order to renew our licences within the new digitized system (I checked out the NJ MVS website), but it seems ridiculous that those of us not due to renew yet, who therefore will not yet have the new licences, will be given trouble at the airport! It's too silly to be true - isn't it?

 

[JKLLady]

We flew EWR/MCO 08/24-08/30 & had no trouble using our "old" NJ photo licenses. My DH & I always bring our work ID's with us too. We both have picture ID's in case they want to see something additional. I work for the state & I've actually had them hand me back my license & use my state ID instead on a few trips. I guess they figure a background check was done before my work ID was issued; can't say the same for my license!

 

[ducklite]

Sounds pretty ridiculous to me. Very few states have those, and NJ has only been offering them for a month or two.

I always carry my passport when flying, just makes it easier.

Anne

 

[phyllis1966]

Bumping this hoping for more responses...

 

[shoes99]

I am flying out of Newark this week. I renewed my NJ Photo Drivers License on Sept 2nd. The Matawan NJ office did not even have the digitized equipment in yet, so my renewed license is not digitized.
I will present my license, but I will have my passport also because we are going on the Magic.
Michele

 

[DeeCeeSW]

I also renewed my license in Matawan recently and was told we'd be "lucky" if the digitized licenses go into effect by December. This was supposed to happen in July then September, etc. We always bring our passports.

 

[Lewisc]

Don't some people in NJ still have non-photo licenses? I suspect that was the problem.

 

[phyllis1966]

This whole digitized license thing is supposedly part of NJ's new plan to stop identity theft and other such fraudulent activities, as per the NJMVS website. I just hope we don't have a problem, but just in case, we're in the process of obtaining passports.

 

[dahirsh]

Yes, lots of people in NJ have no photo on their DL

Deb

 

[mcnuss]

As I recall, it was the lack of photo, not the lack of digitization, that was the problem. I think that traveler thought that a DL would be fine, even though it did not have a picture.

From the TSA:

Travel Tips
Boarding Pass and Photo ID Required To Get to Your Gate

In TSA's on-going commitment to enhance security and improve customer service TSA is consolidating passenger screening to the passenger security checkpoints. Selectee and most random searches will now be conducted at the checkpoints where TSA staff and screening equipment are concentrated.

To access these new checkpoints you will be required to present a BOARDING PASS and PHOTO IDENTIFICATION. Tickets and ticket confirmations (such as a travel agent or airline itineraries) will no longer be accepted at these checkpoints