You don’t need a federally compliant driver’s license, called Real ID, to drive. So why bother getting one?
Maybe I shouldn’t have. Even after getting one of the new licenses the first day they were offered, I’m sure it would have been prudent to wait.
Did you receive a driver license renewal notice from the California DMV? Your driver license is expiring within 60 days. If you aren't changing your address and the CA DMV already has your social security number on file you can renew.
But I felt about getting a Real ID driver’s license as I did about my wedding day: Once I knew it was happening, I couldn’t wait for it to get here.
About 5,000 people applied for the new ID on Monday, the California Department of Motor Vehicles said in a release Tuesday.
Amazing, considering this about the new license: You must appear in person the first time you apply. If you’re smart, you make an appointment. If you’re me, you’re in line at 7:19 a.m. Monday at the Glendale DMV.
Much has been written about the federally compliant driver’s license, because it’s never too early to let readers know about something that might affect their travels, even if it’s more than two years from now.
I could have waited to write about Real ID. But once I began seeing signs in airports saying that ID requirements would be changing, I was certain readers would be confused. Why? Because I received emails from some of them. And because I was flummoxed myself.
The legislation setting “standards for the issuance of sources of identification, such as driver’s licenses” (those words are from the Department of Homeland Security’s Real ID website) grew out of recommendations from the 9/11 Commission.
President Bush signed the legislation May 11, 2005; 4,639 days passed until Jan. 22, the first date the enhanced license was offered in California.
Why so long? There were postponements because of the complexity of reissuing more than 200 million driver’s licenses, objections to the costs that the states would have to bear and concerns that these new licenses were actually a national ID, among other things.
Through it all, the goal was clear: Your documentation needed to reflect your real identity if you wanted to get on a plane or enter a federal facility such as a military base.
You can see the list of compliant states on the Homeland Security website. Several of our neighboring states have been in compliance for some time, including Nevada, Arizona and Utah.
What about the rest of the states and the five territories? As of this writing, all have extensions until Oct. 10. (Noncompliant states usually get extensions so no need to worry too much, at least for now, if your state is not yet golden.)
For travelers, the real need begins Oct. 1, 2020, when you must have a federally compliant license or other form of identification, such as a passport, to board an airplane. Other IDs that will get you on a plane can be seen at the Transportation Security Administration website.
Personal preference on my part. I spend a lot of time worrying about losing my passport, which costs significantly more to replace than a driver’s license. My passport doesn’t fit in my wallet. I always feel as though my passport needs a bodyguard just to be with me.
But I don’t think too much about my license. Maybe it’s not the gold standard that a passport is, but it’s the BFF of identification: It’s with you every day and always ready to help.
Plus, I wanted to see how hard it would be to get one.
Not very. My total wait time was less than 75 minutes, maybe because I did it the first day the license was offered, maybe because I went early.
The process itself took about 30 minutes for which my gem of a DMV person — yes, I did just write that without sarcasm — kept apologizing. Maybe I got through quickly because I had all my docs in a row.
It can vary, and you can see what is acceptable at the California Real ID website.
I had with me my passport, my property tax bill and my Social Security card. I also had my current driver’s license, of course, and $28 in cash because this is considered a replacement license. (A new license costs $35, and checks also are accepted.)
My license expires this year. Should I get Real ID?
Depends. If you fly and don’t want to lug your passport starting in October 2020, it’s an easy way to ensure you have documentation that will get you on a plane.
Will I have to return to the DMV to renew my Real ID license?
Good news, travelers: No, said Jessica F. Gonzalez, a DMV representative. “Once you have received a Real ID, you can renew by mail or online as long as you are in good standing [no issues on your driving record],” she said in an email.
It’s kind of a trifecta in my book: not expensive, not impossible to do and you don’t have to show up each time you have to renew it. What’s not to love?
Have a travel question or dilemma? Write to [email protected]. We regret we cannot answer every inquiry.
Wondering what you need and how you can renew your California Driver's License? Read on!
Here are some basic facts on your driver's license:
How do you renew your California driver’s license online?
You are eligible for online renewal if you:
Important Note: To board a domestic flight in 2020, you will need a federally-complaint ID, such as a Real ID driver's license. An in-person DMV visit is required for this. To renew to meet Federal Real ID compliance standards make a DMV appointment here.
(If you do not want to upgrade to the mandated Real ID, you may still be able to renew online but we don't recommend this option. Register for the CA DMV online services here (takes ~10 minutes), login, and pay the $36 renewal fee if eligible.)
How do you renew your California driver's license in person?
You must renew in person if you are 70 years old or older, your license will expire in more than 60 days, your last 2 renewals were not completed in person, or you need to take a written test.
To renew in person:
Need to go to the DMV but don't want to wait?
Check express DMV appointment availability in your area
Notice: JavaScript is required for this content.
How do you renew your California driver’s license by mail?
You are eligible for mail renewal if:
To renew your license by mail:
What if my California driver’s license is expired, suspended or lost?
? Pro-Tip:Always make a DMV appointment. We can even find quick appointment options for you.
Comments are closed.
|