No REAL ID? That'll be $18.

[Dug720]

I've had mine 7 years or so, last time I renewed my drivers' license. It was maybe one extra document or something? I don't know why anyone would have opted out when renewing drivers license over the last decade. Like if you have to do that anyway, go ahead and do the extra step that gets you the type of ID that you've been told for 20 years you'll soon need.

It depends on where in the renewal cycle they have been. I'm in NY and my license was up for renewal in 2020. They weren't doing it in person, so there was no way to upgrade. And then because of the length of validity for the license I was not NEEDING to renew until 2028, which would have been fine since I've just been using my passport - except my passport expires in 2027. And with my luck I'd need to fly while my passport was out for renewal. So I upgraded early - with my license (now RealID compliant) keeping the same expiration date as the non-compliant one had.

Many people don't think about their license until it's time to renew and not every state was doing/requiring RealID upgrades prior to the COVID shutdown.

 

[PollyannaMom]

Anyone over 18

Do they issue real ID's for non-drivers, then?

I upgraded my license last time I renewed it, so this doesn't affect me directly, but I am curious. - There are plenty of people who don't drive, but do travel (people with certain vision issues, for instance, or who live in big cities and simply don't need a car). How does it work for them?

 

[AppleDumpling]

I just got mine about six months ago, because I waited until my license was due to expire. Real Id was not yet available in my state at the time of my previous renewal. Had all the appropriate documents, but the toughest part was getting an appointment at the DMV. Once they announced it would actually go into effect in May (after all the previous delays), there was a surge of people applying. I wasn’t too concerned though, since I also have a passport.

 

[Willow Ufgood]

Obtaining a REAL ID in PA is such a hassle that I've opted to carry my passport even when traveling domestically. It's easier to renew and doesn't require me to jump thru hoops to prove that I am who I am.

 

[Allison]

Unfortunately there are technophobes out there who may be reluctant to use REAL ID, mostly due to privacy invasion concerns…

Then a technophobe is making that choice and they have to deal with the ramifications.

 

[kdonnel]

Do they issue real ID's for non-drivers, then?

Georgia does. Not sure if that is a requirement for all states.

 

[_19disnA]

I am sure there are still some who show up at an airport and act like the Real ID is news to them even though it has been talked about for the past several years. Number is likely very small but even in the TSA lines, I see a lot of people who seem oblivious to the security measures or act like they somehow apply to everyone else except them.

 

[AppleDumpling]

Georgia does. Not sure if that is a requirement for all states.

According to the official TSA website, all 50 states, DC and US territories now have Real ID compliant drivers licenses, and state-issued photo IDs for non-drivers.

 

[kdonnel]

It has always been confusing to me that while the Feds set a minimum requirement for documents needed to get a REAL ID, they did not also set a maximum requirement for documents.

So we have a system where some states are more stringent in the required documents.

I guess that makes some states REAL IDs more real than others?

 

[Minnie1222]

Do they issue real ID's for non-drivers, then?

I upgraded my license last time I renewed it, so this doesn't affect me directly, but I am curious. - There are plenty of people who don't drive, but do travel (people with certain vision issues, for instance, or who live in big cities and simply don't need a car). How does it work for them?

They can get the State ID's version of the Real ID.

 

[mjkacmom]

Or maybe travelers should just get a Real ID. It’s not like they had 20 years notice they needed it or anything.

It’s only been available in NJ for 6 years, but there was a Covid shut down so impossible to get. When things opened up it was so hard to get a real id appointment. It got a little easier if you were willing to drive far, but then with the 5/25 mandate, you could only get real id appointments if your license was expiring soon. Mine expires in 3 years so I can’t get an appointment. I use my passport card to fly.

 

[mjkacmom]

I’m not sure how this is even news. You have had 20 years to get a real ID. If you haven’t done that paying $18 is a minor fee and still allows you to fly. Mine has been automatically renewing for 19 years now, brought the extra ID in years ago, it took an extra 5 minutes and now it’s just a regular renewal. The one bonus is how long your license is good for. I updated mine last year and it’s good for 10 years.

You have had 20, I’ve had 6, but still haven’t been able to make an appointment.

 

[mjkacmom]

Or maybe the person should get a passport if they fly often and some bizarre opposition to getting a Real ID. Real ID has been around for several years and there was ample opportunity to get one. Wonder if those opposed to getting a Real ID due to privacy concerns are the same types of people who run their lives off of their cell phone and participate on various social media sites???.................LOL.

You obviously don’t live in NJ.

 

[focusondisney]

It’s only been available in NJ for 6 years, but there was a Covid shut down so impossible to get. When things opened up it was so hard to get a real id appointment. It got a little easier if you were willing to drive far, but then with the 5/25 mandate, you could only get real id appointments if your license was expiring soon. Mine expires in 3 years so I can’t get an appointment. I use my passport card to fly.

That’s a valid but ridiculous point. The law was passed 20 years ago. People need to start complaining to their federal, state & local governments or media if there’s an issue getting appointments or prohibiting you from getting them. Local governments shouldn’t be preventing their citizens from following federal laws.

Edit: the angry emoji was on anger your behalf. Not directed at you.

 

[hardcorestitch]

That’s a valid but ridiculous point. The law was passed 20 years ago. People need to start complaining to their federal, state & local governments or media if there’s an issue getting appointments or prohibiting you from getting them. Local governments shouldn’t be preventing their citizens from following federal laws.

The government’s a platypus.

 

[mjkacmom]

I forget what it's called but women taking husband's name has prove the name changes. There have been cases where paper proof has been lost due to fire/flood 50 years ago.

So it's not easy peasy for everyone.

It’s a bridging document, we need so many things to renew even a regular license here, my birth certificate couldn’t be used because I didn’t have my marriage license, but I brought pretty much everything I had so I was ok.

 

[mjkacmom]

I just googled, 17% of NJ drivers had real id this spring. Folks here really want to get it, but are unable. It’s not laziness, technophobes, those who have it went through great lengths, trying to snag appointments, spending hours driving and waiting. Fortunately I believe many here have passports with several international airports close by.

 

[PollyannaMom]

Or maybe travelers should just get a Real ID. It’s not like they had 20 years notice they needed it or anything.

I’m not sure how this is even news. You have had 20 years to get a real ID...

Where have these been around for 20 years?

Like I said, I do have mine, but I just upgraded recently when my license came up for renewal. I looked up my state, and they've only been an option here for 7 years.

 

[lanejudy]

Do they issue real ID's for non-drivers, then?

Yes, all states issue a non-driver's ID, which can now be obtained as a Real ID. Non-drivers aren't exempt from having a valid form of ID, even prior to the Real ID mandate.

 

[Nayan]

My son has a non-drivers Real ID.