Limited appointment availability and long wait times at many regional offices across states have people worried as the Real ID deadline approaches on May 7. The Real ID Act was already approved by Congress in 2005, and the deadline to apply for one has been extended numerous times. People are struggling, luckily this last-minute Real ID update will have many jumping with joy, as the people of various states are getting creative to ensure Americans get their new IDs.
The welcome Real ID update
According to a CBS News data analysis from April 7-18, at least 30 states have a Real ID compliance of less than 70%, which means in more than half of the country, three in every 10 travelers will be unable to go through an airport checkpoint from May 7. That is a long way to go before reaching complete compliance.
People must apply for a Real ID through their local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) office, and with DMVs already overwhelmed and overstaffed, they are working twice as hard. A spokesperson for TSA New England, Daniel Velex, stated in a report to Fox News Digital:
“81% of travelers at TSA checkpoints already have a REAL ID or another approved ID. As the deadline approaches, state DMVs are making efforts to accommodate individuals seeking to obtain a REAL ID, and we fully expect the number of passengers getting REAL IDs to steadily increase.”
This is where you can get your Real ID before the May 7 deadline
Many states have decided to get creative. At the annual New York International Auto Show, held at the Jacob Javits Convention Center in Manhattan, DMV staff will be on-site to assist people with Real ID upgrades through April 27.
“We are once again pleased to offer our customers an opportunity to do their DMV transactions at the Auto Show. While you are enjoying the show, you can also take a moment to apply for a REAL ID, so you’re able to fly domestically going forward,” – Mark J.F. Schroeder, DMV Commissioner.
Arkansas’ revenue offices are opening their doors to people rushing to get their new IDs. According to the Illinois Secretary of State’s website, Chicago will be presenting a “REAL ID Supercenter” with walk-in services for “REAL ID customers only,” which will be open on weekdays.
For those who like to keep it old-school, up until June 27, 18 DMV offices will open an hour earlier, at 7 a.m., on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays to assist only people with appointments to obtain Real IDs.
These DMV offices will open an hour early:
- Pleasanton (6300 W. Las Positas Blvd.)
- Fremont (4287 Central Ave.)
- Folsom (323 E. Bidwell St., Suite A)
- Carmichael (5209 North Ave.)
- Thousand Oaks (1810 E. Avenida de los Arboles)
- Van Nuys (14920 Vanowen St.)
- Arleta (14400 Van Nuys Blvd.)
- Glendale (1335 W. Glenoaks Blvd.)
- Pasadena (49 S. Rosemead Blvd.)
- Culver City (11400 W. Washington Blvd.)
- Westminster (13700 Hoover St.)
- Costa Mesa (650 W. 19th St.)
- San Clemente (2727 Via Cascadita)
- Rancho Cucamonga (8629 Hellman Ave.)
- San Diego Clairemont (4375 Derrick Drive)
- San Marcos (590 Rancheros Drive)
- El Cajon (1450 Graves Ave.)
- Poway (13461 Community Road)
What happens if you miss the May 7 deadline?
Life does happen, so if you do miss the deadline, or can only get an appointment after May 7, other forms of identification that will be accepted instead of a REAL ID, including a valid U.S. passport or passport card; DHS trusted traveler cards; Department of Defense IDs; permanent resident cards; and border crossing cards. This applies to domestic flights.
Twenty-eight state senators have penned a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, begging for another extension. If you do not have any of the above forms of ID, you will unfortunately be prohibited from flying domestically or entering federal buildings. Only time will tell whether we will be blessed with another deadline extension.