American travellers are in a last-minute rush to secure a Real ID-compliant driver’s licence or identification card as the deadline is fast approaching. After the deadline, 7 May, individuals flying domestically will need either a Real ID, a passport, or another approved form of identification to board a plane.
Despite previous delays to enforcement, federal officials insisted that this time, the deadline is firm. In response, department of motor vehicles (DMV) offices across the country are seeing an unprecedented surge in demand, forcing them to extend operating hours and add hundreds of new appointment slots.
However, the influx of applicants has led to hours-long queues stretching around buildings in states such as Tennessee and Pennsylvania.
With long wait times at DMV locations, many Americans turned to social media to vent their frustrations and exchange tips on where to find the shortest queues.
One Facebook user from New Jersey complained, “The whole state is booked!” while another user on Reddit asked, “What are my options?” after struggling to find a way to fly their son home after his university term.
Those unable to secure appointments until the summer have resorted to posting in local online groups, hoping for cancellations that would allow them to move up their appointments.
Meanwhile, authorities in Miami-Dade County have uncovered a network of scalpers booking free DMV slots and reselling them for profit, MSN news reported.
According to the transportation security administration (TSA), around one in five travellers currently passing through US airports do not have a Real ID or another compliant form of identification. This is despite the requirement having been in the pipeline for decades and states issuing Real IDs since the 2010s.
A history of delays
Many travellers have put off obtaining a Real ID due to repeated deadline extensions. The US government postponed the requirement three times, particularly during the Covid-19 pandemic, leading some to assume it would be delayed once again.
Adding to the confusion, some states, such as California and New York, continue to issue both standard licences and Real IDs, meaning many people did not upgrade their IDs when renewing. Mixed messaging from different authorities has further complicated matters.
Airports now display signs urging passengers to get “Real ID ready,” and the department of homeland security’s website featured a countdown timer for the deadline. However, states overwhelmed by demand have tried to ease concerns. The Illinois secretary of state’s website reassures residents with the message, “Don’t Rush the Date. Real ID Can Wait.”
Illinois has responded to the surge by introducing “DMV Real ID Saturdays” and opening a dedicated walk-in centre in Chicago. Yet, the state government reminded residents that they can still travel with a valid US passport.
The percentage of Real ID-compliant licences varies greatly by state. Texas, which exclusively issues Real id-compliant driver’s licences, boasts a 98% compliance rate, according to the Texas department of public safety.
Pennsylvania, however, offered multiple types of licences and has an opt-in rate of just 25.6% for Real IDs, according to the state’s transportation department. In response to rising demand, Pennsylvania extended DMV hours on select Mondays.
What travellers need to know
From 7 May, all travellers aged 18 and over must present a Real ID-compliant document to fly domestically on a commercial flight, enter certain federal buildings, or access nuclear power plants.
Real IDs are easily identifiable by a special marking at the top of the card, often a gold star. Travellers without one must ensure they carry a valid passport or another approved form of identification when flying within the US.
To help manage the surge in applications, some AAA branches, such as those in Massachusetts and Rhode Island, are now processing Real ID applications for members through partnerships with local DMVs.
As the deadline draws near, Americans who haven’t yet secured their Real ID, face limited options, either brave the queues and hunt for last-minute cancellations, or ensure they have an alternative form of identification in time for their next flight.
