Real ID requirements in effect today

[leebee]

I don't have a realID compliant license yet. I was not psyched about paying for it this year and then having to pay to renew my license next year. I flew yesterday and my passport worked just fine to get me thru security. They also told me that they'll accept passports that expired within two years of the day of your flight, but that won't be permanent and the agent didn't know when they'd stop accepting expired passports.

ETA: Maine didn't start issuing realID until July 2019, and you aren't required to get it when you renew your license. I tried to make an appointment in February and there wasn't anything available until August, which is when I decided the heck with it and to use my passport. When I renew my license next summer, I'll get the realID, just because it's easier than lugging around my passport.

 

[Debbie Jean]

Here in NJ I know people driving hours to appointments they made months ago that they were lucky to snag in the wee hours of the morning. We aren’t talking about wanting to stay local, that’s probably not going to happen. Heck my kids had to take their drivers exam 45 minutes away because the MVC 20 minutes away had no availability for months, and this was when it was better in 2020 before COVID . I guess if you don’t live here, you don’t get it.

Been trying for an appt forever. Woke about 4 AM one morning and searched… yes, I’d spent months stalking the appt website… they must have just loaded it! Got a time in my own town, end of June! I’m not complaining… I’ll continue to travel on my passport… so if you are in NJ, don’t give up hope! The state’s implantation has been a mess, but it can happen!

 

[bcla]

This Real ID nonsense has caused me to swap Disneyland for WDW this year...

Just wait for Disney to adopt a Real ID requirement.

 

[Lewisc]

Just wait for Disney to adopt a Real ID requirement.

Acceptable substitute will be a credit card with large available credit

 

[dez1978]

I am shocked at how many people waited until they had no other choice to finally get one. Every state has been issuing them since some point in 2020. And this date has been announced for like a year at least. I know it's been kicked down the road several times already and I assume many figured it would be again. Now people are upset about lines and wait times... You had YEARS....

 

[dez1978]

My license was expiring in 2020. I had an appointment at the DMV for a new one, and I was getting Real ID on it. Next thing I knew, DMV told my my appointment was cancelled as they were closing all offices due to COVID. They did extend my license for one year at that time. Just before the year was up I got an appointment notice that they set up for me. I went in, got license and only had to take eye test, as they weren't doing in vehicle testing yet.

Now my license is expiring again, BUT I will not be in state when my renewal date comes up.

Can't you go in up to 6 months early in your state?

There were multiple states that did not want to comply with the REAL ID requirements some going so far as to make it illegal in their states; it was tied to the information that REAL ID collects. The states that took the longest were those in general.

Missouri for example was one of those where it was written into law in 2009 they would not allow REAL IDs (in 2017 they repealed that) and only started issuing in 2019 and was only compliant as of then. Meanwhile in my state next to Missouri the REAL ID has been issued since 2017 and compliant since 2013 as far as internal information collected. It was mentioned towards the end of April that only 46% of Missourians had a REAL ID though that has also caused a slew of people going to their respective DMVs causing long lines. In my state they have mentioned the several hundred thousand who have actively chosen to not get a REAL ID.

Missouri is always stupid. If I recall, the state threw a fit about how the documents needed to prove your identity would be stored. I complain alot about living in rural MO, and the lack of things nearby, like airports, and a CVS, but I have never waited more than 10 mins at our DMV. The only issue I had in getting my real id here was that the list of acceptable docs you could use didn't say that you couldn't use 2 things from the same place. So you could use a pay stub for one category and your w-2, or car title docs for the other category. Since I work for the state, my pay stub is issued by the state and so is my car title lol. So I had to find something else and come back, which was stupid, but not a big deal.

If you NEVER fly (or don't need access to federal/military installations), then I don't see the need to upgrade to the Real ID. Likely there are some number of people who only drive when traveling/vacationing and don't care to fly. No idea what % that is, but obviously there are some where that is the case. Doubt that 100% of the adults will ever have Real ID's, but that is their choice. You can also show a passport to fly even if you don't have the Real ID. Also no idea what percent of adults have a passport and NOT have Real ID. To me it is a bit like not bothering to get a passport if you never travel outside of the US. Everyone has to decide how to handle that for themselves based on where they are likely to travel and how.

But do you really know you'll never need to enter a federal courthouse or something like that? Idk, I stress out too much about that.

 

[_19disnA]

But do you really know you'll never need to enter a federal courthouse or something like that? Idk, I stress out too much about that.

My point related more to those quoting statistics on who does NOT have a Real ID. Since you can also fly using your passport, it is yet another example of taking data out of context in order to draw some conclusion without looking at the entire picture.

 

[bcla]

But do you really know you'll never need to enter a federal courthouse or something like that? Idk, I stress out too much about that.

I would guess some sort of secondary screening like there would be at airports. I've been to a few federal buildings where it was always private security doing the screening. But obviously they took their orders from the feds. I used a passport card the last few times, like for a passport application appointment for my kid.

If it's someone such as a witness in a federal trial, I can't see a judge allowing anyone to lose a witness just because they didn't have the proper ID to enter the building.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

I would guess some sort of secondary screening like there would be at airports. I've been to a few federal buildings where it was always private security doing the screening. But obviously they took their orders from the feds. I used a passport card the last few times, like for a passport application appointment for my kid.

If it's someone such as a witness in a federal trial, I can't see a judge allowing anyone to lose a witness just because they didn't have the proper ID to enter the building.

But do you really know you'll never need to enter a federal courthouse or something like that? Idk, I stress out too much about that.

It's technically required of Federal buildings that currently require IDs. So whatever buildings that would be, you'd need to show an acceptable ID. I do think in that respect it's one of those things that you'd have to ensure if you were visiting some place to look up if they are a place that requires it. The going thought is having that REAL ID means you aren't needing to worry about that.

As for the question I actually looked up what my nearest Federal Courthouse would be on my side of the state line in my metro and it's a bity murky. So you need to show an ID to enter BUT they do seem to make a caveat for the following under Jury FAQ "You may use a regular driver’s license or state issued ID to enter the building. There is no requirement to produce REAL ID-compliant identification to enter a federal facility (e.g., a courthouse) to participate in constitutionally protected activities (e.g., activities involving a defendant’s or spectator’s access to court proceedings or access by jurors or potential jurors)."

So that sounds like unless you were there for a reason protected under the law you'd fall back on needing to produce appropriate ID which in this case is REAL ID. Whether this is the same everywhere IDK (you'd like to think it was).

My state does mention on their DMV page about SSN or post offices and other courts don't require ID to enter and thus won't require REAL IDs.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

My point related more to those quoting statistics on who does NOT have a Real ID. Since you can also fly using your passport, it is yet another example of taking data out of context in order to draw some conclusion without looking at the entire picture.

Many people point to just saying "you can show your passport instead" which is factually correct but if you have a passport chances are you don't have a problem with getting a REAL ID (along with most people don't travel with their passports if going domestic as a just in case they need to show the required ID) as in you object to the idea of REAL ID. There may be other reasons like renewal dates that aren't synced or maybe you have an Enhanced DL already but outside of those the discussion typically falls to unwillingness to get one because you don't want to get one which then directs people to discuss the instances in which you may run into issues or practical usage of using your passport.

You'd want to keep in mind using stats regarding the percentage of people who don't have a REAL ID but do have a passport, my uneducated guess is that percentage is much lower than the overlap of people having both a passport and a REAL ID most especially in recent years as people's natural renewal cycles at their DMVs expire and REAL ID issuance has been around for a few years in the last of the states. I've had a passport since 2013, a passport in my married name since 2018 and a REAL ID since 2022.

To use stats from my state according to an article a few days ago out of the approximate population of my state around 44% do NOT have a passport but figures from end of April put the REAL ID percentage at 85%. 56% of people in the state have a passport but 85% have a REAL ID. Just saying "you can fly also using your passport" needs to be given with context as you have to actually have said passport to be able to use it.

(corrected sentence with stats)

 

[kymom99]

I was caught off guard by how many people have waited to get a Real ID. They have been around long enough that everyone had to elect NOT to get a real ID when their license expired.

Best I can tell New York and Pennsylvania are the only states that charge more for a Real ID.

Add Kentucky

 

[kymom99]

If you NEVER fly (or don't need access to federal/military installations), then I don't see the need to upgrade to the Real ID. Likely there are some number of people who only drive when traveling/vacationing and don't care to fly. No idea what % that is, but obviously there are some where that is the case. Doubt that 100% of the adults will ever have Real ID's, but that is their choice. You can also show a passport to fly even if you don't have the Real ID. Also no idea what percent of adults have a passport and NOT have Real ID. To me it is a bit like not bothering to get a passport if you never travel outside of the US. Everyone has to decide how to handle that for themselves based on where they are likely to travel and how.

When my husband was getting his real id I intended to get mine too. It was suggested that I wait because my license was fairly recent and it would cost me extra to do it then. The guy told me to just wait till it was ready to expire. So I waited until this past January and got it with no issues.

My son was working out of state last year when his license was due to expire. So he renewed online but was only able to get the standard license that way. He tried to get an appointment recently before he left again but there were none. He’s got a passport, so he will be fine.

Those are the reasons we waited. I’m sure there are others.

 

[Genie+]

I still don’t have a Real ID yet and don’t plan to until 2027 when my license expires.

My NJ license says NOT FOR “REAL ID” PURPOSES right above the license #.

New Jersey was already pretty tight with verification starting back around 2003 with the ‘6 points of identification’ system. Real ID uses the same exact point system. I guess the only difference is going in again to verify you can still prove 6 points worth of ID (something I haven’t needed to do in a long time).

For now I have regular driving license, passport and card, TSA Pre-check, and Clear.

If for some reason I need to physically go to down to DMV before 2027, I’ll get REAL.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

I still don’t have a Real ID yet and don’t plan to until 2027 when my license expires.

My NJ license says NOT FOR “REAL ID” PURPOSES right above the license #.

New Jersey was already pretty tight with verification starting back around 2003 with the ‘6 points of identification’ system. Real ID uses the same exact point system. I guess the only difference is going in again to verify you can still prove 6 points worth of ID (something I haven’t needed to do in a long time).

For now I have regular driving license, passport and card, TSA Pre-check, and Clear.

If for some reason I need to physically go to down to DMV before 2027, I’ll get REAL.

It's not about information collected by the state itself, it's about the collection and sharing of information across them all. Over the years states have been required to collect certain information from people to enter it into databases in order to stay compliant with the Act, the ID component is really the very last step in this collection and sharing of information.

In my case I showed less information than I have had to to get my REAL ID than a normal DL would be but that's because over the years my state had collected the information they were required to, things like proof of address as well as I had already proven my name change.

 

[Genie+]

I just found this, which was interesting:
https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/identification

Expired ID​

TSA currently accepts expired ID up to two years after expiration, for the above listed forms of identification.

That List-
The list of acceptable IDs is subject to change without notice. TSA strongly encourages you check this list again before traveling, so you do not arrive at the airport without acceptable ID.

• REAL ID-compliant driver's licenses or other state photo identity cards issued by Department of Motor Vehicles (or equivalent)
  • If you are not sure if your ID complies with REAL ID, check with your state department of motor vehicles.
  • A temporary driver’s license is not an acceptable form of identification.
• State-issued Enhanced Driver's License (EDL) or Enhanced ID (EID)
• U.S. passport
• U.S. passport card
• DHS trusted traveler cards (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST)
• U.S. Department of Defense ID, including IDs issued to dependents
• Permanent resident card
• Border crossing card
• An acceptable photo ID issued by a federally recognized Tribal Nation/Indian Tribe, including Enhanced Tribal Cards (ETCs)
• HSPD-12 PIV card
• Foreign government-issued passport
• Canadian provincial driver's license or Indian and Northern Affairs Canada card
• Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC)
• U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Employment Authorization Card (I-766)
• U.S. Merchant Mariner Credential
• Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC)

So I guess TSA will even accept expired passports, as long as within 2 years. Or any of these that have expired within the last 2 years (if you don’t have Real ID [or that has already expired but still within 2 years of expiration]).

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

I just found this, which was interesting:
https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/identification

Expired ID​

TSA currently accepts expired ID up to two years after expiration, for the above listed forms of identification.

That List-
The list of acceptable IDs is subject to change without notice. TSA strongly encourages you check this list again before traveling, so you do not arrive at the airport without acceptable ID.

• REAL ID-compliant driver's licenses or other state photo identity cards issued by Department of Motor Vehicles (or equivalent)
  • If you are not sure if your ID complies with REAL ID, check with your state department of motor vehicles.
  • A temporary driver’s license is not an acceptable form of identification.
• State-issued Enhanced Driver's License (EDL) or Enhanced ID (EID)
• U.S. passport
• U.S. passport card
• DHS trusted traveler cards (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST)
• U.S. Department of Defense ID, including IDs issued to dependents
• Permanent resident card
• Border crossing card
• An acceptable photo ID issued by a federally recognized Tribal Nation/Indian Tribe, including Enhanced Tribal Cards (ETCs)
• HSPD-12 PIV card
• Foreign government-issued passport
• Canadian provincial driver's license or Indian and Northern Affairs Canada card
• Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC)
• U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Employment Authorization Card (I-766)
• U.S. Merchant Mariner Credential
• Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC)

So I guess TSA will even accept expired passports, as long as within 2 years. Or any of these that have expired within the last 2 years (if you don’t have Real ID).

Someone mentioned earlier that the expiring passport part is more or less contingent on time meaning it's not a hard rule for eternity. People may not have realized but under normal conditions (meaning pre-REAL deadline date) a passport expired within 12 months could be used for ID verification at TSA (was not able to be used for pre-check qualifying though), obviously not for flying international but rather your verification of who you are. In this case it's basically a temporary allowance to use an expired passport for ID verification of up to 2 years expired.

 

[birchtree95]

What drives me crazy are the reports that state that an Enhanced ID is not a Real ID.

Every report on this all state that a Real ID can be identified with a star in the upper corner. Enhanced ID's have that star in the corner, so yes, Enhanced ID is a Real ID, but with more power.

I was so scared the first time I drove to Canada with(2019) it that I brought my passport card just in case, but it the Enhanced ID worked like a charm!

 

[HannaBelle]

I’ve had the Real ID for about 10 years. Plus a passport. I’m ready to fly domestically or internationally on a moment’s notice.

Me too, let's goooooo...

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

What drives me crazy are the reports that state that an Enhanced ID is not a Real ID.

Every report on this all state that a Real ID can be identified with a star in the upper corner. Enhanced ID's have that star in the corner, so yes, Enhanced ID is a Real ID, but with more power.

I was so scared the first time I drove to Canada with(2019) it that I brought my passport card just in case, but it the Enhanced ID worked like a charm!

Well it's technically not a REAL ID but it is REAL ID compliant, same as a passport or the other IDs are REAL ID compliant IDs but are not actually REAL IDs.

I do agree with the star part in the sense that a lot of focus was on the star but I think people will want to keep in mind that's really good information for people who live in the vast majority of the states that don't have Enhanced IDs as it's the biggest and main indicator visually speaking for people to see if their existing ID is REAL ID or not. At the same time I agree that TSA (and other people who have to check for appropriate ID) should not rely upon that star as a means to give the okay or not okay.

 

[dizneegirl]

Don't have a Real ID, and won't until my DL gets renewed next year.