After having “non-rev” privileges with Southwest Airlines, Christy dove into the world of points and miles so she could continue traveling for free. Her other passion is personal finance, and is a cer...
Edited by: Jessica Merritt
A long-time points and miles student, Jessica is the former Personal Finance Managing Editor at U.S. News and World Report and is passionate about helping consumers fund their travels for as little ca...
& Keri Stooksbury
With years of experience in corporate marketing and as the Executive Director of the American Chamber of Commerce in Qatar, Keri is now Editor-in-Chief at UP, overseeing daily content operations and r...
338 comments
Rich C.
November 25, 2019
I just renewed my Oregon driver’s license and they don’t expire for 7yrs. Will I have to pay full price for this Real ID?
Thanks, Rich
Christy Rodriguez
November 25, 2019
Hi Rich, a REAL ID isn’t mandatory, however, if you choose to obtain a REAL ID, then yes – you would have to pay full price for a new license.
Hope this helps!
Joanie Pine
November 28, 2019
We have a strange scenario. We are retiring to Florida in the new year. We will be staying with friends until we buy or build a home. Our driver’s licenses will expire during that time. We will not have utility, mortgage, lease, employment proof. Will we be able to obtain a real ID driver’s license there? My husband’s father has stage IV cancer and we might need to fly to see him.
Christy Rodriguez
November 28, 2019
Hi Joanie – the REAL ID Act doesn’t go into effect until Oct. 2020. It would be best to contact your local DMV if you have any concerns, but rest assured – you will still be able to fly, even after this Oct. 2020 date, if you have one of the TSA-approved IDs we’ve listed in the article above. Hope this helps and best of luck on your move.
jo ann weber
November 29, 2019
I never fly. Can I just get a regular ID, or do I need it if I get called for jury duty to get into a courthouse?
Jarrod West
November 29, 2019
Hi Jo ann,
You should not need a REAL ID to get into a courthouse, and since you never fly, you should be fine with a standard ID.
Thanks for reading!
Debra Petersen
December 04, 2019
Ok, I’m due to have my licenses renewed in December. If I get a standard license now or by December, will I have to pay all over again in Oct the next year to get the real ID?
I would do it now, but I live in NY and have since I was 14. However, I was born in NJ and I have to order a new Birth Certificate as I can not find mine for a few years now.
I’m just wondering if I’m going to have to double pay since NY renewal is every 8 years.
Christy Rodriguez
December 04, 2019
Hi Debra. Yes, if you get your regular license renewed in December, you will have to pay again for a REAL ID whenever you are able to obtain one. Thanks for reading!
Andrew
December 09, 2019
I recently obtained a new state drivers license, but did not get the enhanced ID. In the top corner it states ‘Federal Limits Apply’ which my previous ID did not. Will I still be able to fly domestically until October 2020?
Christine Krzyszton
December 09, 2019
Hi Andrew. Yes, you will be able to use your current license as ID to travel domestically until the new requirements kick in on October 1, 2020.
bert
December 13, 2019
If a person has a standard ID and then later needs to go to a Federal building will they be allowed in? I don’t see how one can’t be allowed to go into a building ran by the gov’t that that person paid for through taxes.
Could there be a situation where a person is requested to come to an IRS office in a Federal building and the person tells the IRS “agent” nope, I can’t come to visit you because I have no Real ID. What’s the outcome? If we are given a choice then there is no way a person could be forced to get one to go to the IRS office.
Christy Rodriguez
December 13, 2019
Hi Bert, you will still be able to access the places you mentioned, such as IRS buildings. You can also still attend jury duty.
As noted on the DHS website, they state a REAL ID will be necessary to access “restricted and semi-restricted federal facilities such as military bases.” Most people won’t have a need to access these, so the main impact is for boarding commercial aircraft. Hope this helps!
SYLVANIA SHOOLA
December 15, 2019
I have a lifetime ID from Illinois, but I travel a lot. Do I need to get a Real ID or passport?
Christy Rodriguez
December 15, 2019
Hi Sylvania, I am not sure what a lifetime ID is. You noted that you travel, but you didn’t mention what kind. If you are simply driving, you would just need your Illinois-issued driver’s license. In terms of domestic air travel, you will need either a REAL ID, passport, or other TSA-approved form of ID (listed above in the article) starting on Oct. 1, 2020. If you travel internationally, you will always need your passport. Hope this helps!
Sarah
December 15, 2019
I’m part of an address confidentiality program (ACP) and am allowed to use a PO Box for a regular license (not REAL ID or Enhanced ID) because I am a domestic violence victim.
Would I be allowed to apply for a REAL ID using the PO BOX? The application asks for proof of address. I see this being a big security issue.
Christy Rodriguez
December 15, 2019
Hi Sarah, I definitely understand your concerns. I would recommend that you contact your local license-issuing department in order to help you with this. (We’ve linked all of the states’ above.) They will definitely be able to assist you and let you know exactly how your information is used and stored. Hope this helps!
Jlo
June 28, 2023
Hey Christy, no this was not a big help at all. The DMV lady told my gf, in typical fashion, “Sorry, don’t know to tell you. You don’t live in the box.” Shout out to all those awesome NY civil servants.
Jason
December 23, 2019
I have an old warrant from 1998. Can I still get a Real ID?
Christy Rodriguez
December 23, 2019
Hi Jason, you didn’t mention which state you are living in, but typically the DMV will check for existing warrants any time you need to get your ID renewed (REAL ID or otherwise). We aren’t associated with any of the license-issuing offices, so we definitely recommend calling your local one (links for all are listed in the article) to ask how their process works and if they have any advice on how best to proceed. Best of luck to you!
Jelon
January 03, 2020
Hello,
Quick question. When applying for a REAL ID, does it also count as a drivers license? Or do I need a separate driver license card in addition to the REAL ID?
Christy Rodriguez
January 03, 2020
Hi Jelon, a REAL ID is a type of driver’s license. However, be aware that you may have to select if you would like your driver’s license to be compliant with REAL ID or not. If you choose to obtain a REAL ID, check our list of requirements above as you will have to bring more documentation than is required to simply renew a standard driver’s license. Hope this helps!
Gigglér
January 04, 2020
Just went through a 4 week hassle of transitioning my VA car registration over to MD and getting a MD REAL ID License.
My question is this. This article says it’s OPTIONAL, yet when I went and didn’t have a birth certificate they turned me away. I came back with a birth certificate but only had 1 proof of residency and they turned me away.
Finally went back a 3rd time and paid $72 for a REAL ID.
If REAL IDs are optional why was I put through this riggamaroll? It seems REAL IDs are default where I went and the only option presented.
Christy Rodriguez
January 04, 2020
Hi Giggler, I can’t speak to why you were only presented with the REAL ID option, however, on the Maryland MVA’s website, they note that they are still issuing “federally non-compliant driver’s licenses”. This would be what you would receive if you weren’t choosing to get a REAL ID.
If you noted that you wanted to receive a REAL ID, then you must comply with the strict documentation requirements. Hope this answers your question!
Lisa
January 06, 2020
I need to fly to Tennessee next week! I don’t have a REAL ID. Can I still fly with just my driver’s license up until October 1, 2020?
Jarrod West
January 06, 2020
Hi Lisa,
Yes, you can fly with your regular license until October 1st, 2020.
Thanks for reading!
Michael Crawford
January 09, 2020
So, with what seems to be a great amount of revenue that will be generated with this new requirement, how about comparing what the cost will be to process versus what “Extra Monies” the various states will have to spend as they like. Almost seems like yet another tax being forced upon us with no explanation as to what the surplus money will be spent on.
Mister
January 09, 2020
I’m only commenting, and my apologies for wasting anyone’s time if this has been mentioned and is redundant information, but I work for an online travel management company. It is amazing to me how many change requests on airline tickets we receive weekly because of name, identification, and required information needed to walk aboard an aircraft in the United States seems so alien to some. It is imperative when you are making travel arrangements that if you are not familiar with the airline and TSA requirements, today, either study up well before making purchases or seek a local travel agent.
Domestic travel is not as stringent around 1 character or middle names being incorrect or missing, but if travel is international from the United States, just because everyone in your family calls your husband by a nickname, “Dick”, last name Smith, his legal name as it reads on his identification, Richard Lewis Smith III is what the name on his airline ticket must-read. Just because you call your wife Rosie, but her real name is Betty Marie Collier on her driver’s license or passport, she will be calling you her own chosen names when you are unable to board the flight to Paris you’ve promised her, but failed to follow guidelines when you purchased the surprise airline tickets.
If you are unaware, the TSA knows you are coming before you arrive at the airport. If the name provided when you bought your airline tickets is not what you show on your required ID when you arrive at the airport, especially for international travel, you probably won’t be taking the flight you had initially booked…and unless you have deep pockets, nor will you be departing on the day you intended. Airlines are forgiving on name changes outside of the date of travel, some only for minor name changes (1 character misspelled or left off), but some charge for changing a name…$25, $50, etc.
If you find an error in the name on your airline ticket, contact whomever you paid to book the flight and issue the ticket (airline, travel agency, etc.) and they need to provide information to you on getting the name corrected well before your date of departure to match the form of identification you will have in your possession n when the TSA representative holds their gloved hand out to compare your ID to what the airline ticket shows as your name.
When you were Roseland Perez Stuart the day you receive this new driver’s license, and that’s the name on your passport, you are legally Roseland Perez Stuart the day you purchase your airline ticket to Barcelona.
Just use your head. We’re talking security, national security. “Sweet Pea”, or “Honey Bun”, might not be taking a scheduled flight on her honeymoon.
kelly weaver
January 14, 2020
Since the name on my birth certificate is different than my current name, I know I have to show some sort of documentation showing the name change, unfortunately, I was married over 30 years ago and divorced 10 years ago, and retained my married name, and no longer have these documents, do I need to get a copy of my divorce decree or my marriage license? and if so how do I go about doing that. I reside in and was married in California.
Christy Rodriguez
January 14, 2020
Hi Kelly, you are correct. In order to be fully prepared, it would be best to obtain an official copy of both your divorce decree and your marriage license. Typically those can be requested directly from the county clerk’s office where you filed each of these documents.
Hope this helps and thanks for reading!
Ada
January 21, 2020
How long after I apply for a Real ID, should I receive it in California?
Christy Rodriguez
January 21, 2020
Hi Ada, your REAL ID will take the same amount of time to arrive as a standard license. California notes that it will arrive 3 weeks after your appointment at your local DMV.
Dan Proesch
January 21, 2020
I’m finding online references that the Real ID and Real ID-compliant Drivers licenses are automatically required to send our pictures to the Federal Facial Recognition Database. Some may find that helpful. Personally, if it is the case I will never get one. Can you verify this?
Christy Rodriguez
January 21, 2020
Hi Dan – we can’t verify this as we aren’t associated with the Department of Homeland Security, who is responsible for implementing the REAL ID Act. We are Upgraded Points, a website dedicated to providing in-depth articles, like this one explaining REAL IDs.
We can direct you to the REAL ID FAQs by the DHS where they note “REAL ID does not create a federal database of driver license information. Each jurisdiction continues to issue its own unique license, maintains its own records, and controls who gets access to those records and under what circumstances. The purpose of REAL ID is to make our identity documents more consistent and secure.”
Hope this helps.
Jane
January 22, 2020
I would like an answer to the question please.
Christy Rodriguez
January 22, 2020
Hi Jane, I’m sorry, but I don’t see a question from you? I’d be happy to answer when we receive one. Thanks!
Lynn
January 26, 2020
My Alaska DL is expiring soon and so will need to renew. Will licenses automatically renew as REAL IDs going forward or do I have to specify that I want a Real ID instead of a regular DL?
Christy Rodriguez
January 27, 2020
Hi Lynn, when your license expires, it will not automatically renew as a REAL ID. In fact, you will need to go in person to get your REAL ID.
Hope this helps and thanks for reading!
Kris
January 28, 2020
I am flying to Orlando in June 2020, do I need a real ID?
Jarrod West
January 28, 2020
Hi Kris,
REAL ID’s will not be required for air travel until October of 2020.
Beth Johnson
February 07, 2020
In your article, you listed Tennessee as a state that doesn’t have a star on the REAL ID, that is incorrect.
Tennessee in fact does have a star on the new REAL ID, thank you.
Christy Rodriguez
February 07, 2020
Hi Beth, thanks for letting us know. We’ve updated the article to reflect this!
Ellen
February 19, 2020
My license was renewed in 2015 and expire in 2021. Why was I not given a real ID when I renewed my license since the law was passed in 2005? So I was given a fake ID. Why should I have to pay to get a real ID?
Jarrod West
February 20, 2020
Hi Ellen,
You are not required to get a REAL ID if you choose not to. It is only required for those who want to travel domestically via airplane, who don’t already have a U.S. Passport.
Annette
February 28, 2020
Hi,
What if my driver’s license expires in March 2021 but I need the Travel ID by Oct 2020?
Do I have to go back next year and take a written exam and pay again for the renewal?
Thank you for any info.
Christy Rodriguez
February 28, 2020
Hi Annette, a REAL ID isn’t required to travel. Please refer to the other TSA-approved forms of ID that we’ve noted in the article. You can use any of these (such as a passport, Global Entry card, etc.) that are also approved for travel. You can renew your license and choose to get a REAL ID in March 2021.
Hope this helps!
Dawn
March 03, 2020
Hi Christy,
Thank you for taking the time to write an informative article and answer everyone’s questions. I live in FL and DO NOT want a real ID. I have called the DMV and they have never heard of a non-real ID. They just said they only issue Real ID driver’s licenses. I then called the state who said they have never heard of a non-real id and their manager said they have never heard of a non-real id. I then contacted the TSA who knew exactly what a non-real id was but said they have no jurisdiction over what states do. Do you have any information or direction of who I can speak to regarding getting a non-real ID driver’s license or a law stating I cannot be forced into getting this? Thanks!
Christy Rodriguez
March 03, 2020
Hi Dawn, I appreciate the kind words. I would suggest calling it a “standard driver’s license” or even a “federally non-compliant license”. In addition, if you are eligible to renew online, you would receive a non-REAL ID as these must be obtained in person. Maybe another reader from FL can help out with their experience as well?
Hope this helps you!
Steven Mauro
March 05, 2020
Hi Christy,
My Mother In Law is in FL, she can no longer drive, is almost blind and wheelchair-bound, so her license expired 10 years ago. The only ID she has is her Florida State Issued ID and her passport. We are trying to have her come visit in Pennsylvania around May. What exactly will she need in order to be able to board the plane? and if the info on her passport and the state ID does not exactly match. Which info do I give when I purchase her ticket?
Christy Rodriguez
March 05, 2020
Hi Steven, if her passport is valid, I would suggest using that for her travels. In that instance, be sure that her information on her ticket matches the information on the passport to make things easier. Hope this helps!
Michelle
March 10, 2020
Hi, I got my state REAL ID before I applied for a driver’s license. When I got my DL-ID, it’s not a real ID compliant. Can I also have my DL to be REAL ID-compliant?
Christy Rodriguez
March 10, 2020
Hi Michelle, I’m sorry, but I’m a bit confused when you say that you applied for your state’s REAL ID before your driver’s license since a REAL ID is also a driver’s license. Maybe you could clarify and I’d be happy to help. Thanks!
Kodee
April 19, 2020
I was curious, is one able to obtain a Real ID if they are on Parole or Probation?
Christy Rodriguez
April 20, 2020
Hi Kodee, there are no restrictions in place that would prevent someone who is on parole or probation from obtaining a REAL ID. As long as you can meet your state’s requirements for documentation, you will be able to obtain a REAL ID. Thanks for reading!
Marlloris Martinez
June 06, 2020
I just went and got a replacement Driver’s License on Tuesday, June 2nd, and received it on June 5th in the mail. This time I decide to get the Real ID Driver License with the STAR on it. My only problem is they issued it for one year and it expires already next year. I’m not sure if upgrading my driver’s license was a mistake and now I have to go every to renew it and pay $30.00 again.
Christy Rodriguez
June 07, 2020
Hi Marlloris, you noted that you got a replacement license, so this might be why it was only good for a year in order to match with your previous expiration date. Typically you will have to pay for a replacement license anyways, so depending on your state, the additional cost of “upgrading” to a REAL ID might have been minimal. Moving forward, you will only have to pay to renew your license once every 5-10 years (depending on your state). Hope this helps!
fernanda santoyo
June 10, 2020
What about people who aren’t born in the USA?
And don’t have access to get a REAL ID but have a passport, but not from the USA?
Christine Krzyszton
June 10, 2020
Hello Fernanda. A passport, as mentioned in the article, is an acceptable form of ID. “Starting October 1, 2021, every state and territory resident will need to present a REAL ID-compliant license/ID or another acceptable form of identification (like a passport or passport card) for accessing federal facilities — including boarding commercial aircraft.”
Joe K.
June 24, 2020
Great Forum you have going here!
I have a Calif. “Real ID” Driver’s license and own a house here. I also own a house in Hawaii. I want to get a Hawaii Real ID “STATE” ID (not Driver’s License) and make that my primary residence but keep my Calif. DRIVER’s license since I go back and forth. I don’t want a REAL ID from Calif, but only from Hawaii. Is that ok? And do I turn in my current CA REAL ID Driver’s license to Hawaii?
Christy Rodriguez
June 24, 2020
Hi Joe, thank you – and thanks for reading! You need to be licensed in the state that you are considered to have permanent residency in. In your case, this sounds like Hawaii, not California. You couldn’t keep your CA driver’s license in this instance.
Once you get a REAL ID from Hawaii, CA will be informed of your change in status and your old license will be invalidated. I hope this helps!
Joe
June 25, 2020
Thank you for your fast response!
Maria
September 18, 2020
I need to renew my standard Massachusetts driver’s license soon. I have my passport and don’t really need a REAL ID. Can I just renew to another standard Massachusetts license online? Is it gonna be good for another 5 years? Or will my renewed license will expire on October 31, 2021? Is a REAL ID mandatory?
Christy Rodriguez
September 18, 2020
Hi Maria, if you don’t need a REAL ID, you do not need to get one – it is not mandatory. It sounds like a standard license will be just fine for you. And yes, your new standard license will be good for another 5 years. Just be sure that you bring along your passport when traveling domestically starting on October 1, 2021. Thanks for reading!
Miranda
September 20, 2020
Hello, I was reviewing the information and see where the effective date has changed from October 2020 to October 2021. Shouldn’t the verbiage read “moved OUT one year to October 1, 2021, instead of BACK? If you use move back one year, then it should have been October 1, 2019, and not 2021.
Below is what I have copied from your information:
**
Note: The original date of compliance was October 1, 2020, however, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this was moved back one year to October 1, 2021.
**
Please let me know. Thanks, in advance, for your attention to this.
Christy Rodriguez
September 20, 2020
Hi Miranda, thanks for your comment. We were referring to the date of compliance being pushed back a year from 2020 to 2021. We’ve updated the article to change “moved” to “pushed” to make this less confusing.
Thanks for reading.
Jorge
November 27, 2020
Is there a character limit regarding the name on the driving license (Real ID or not)?
I live in New Mexico and have had this problem before, regarding SSN.
If there is a limit, does it mean that I will not be able to have a driving license, as my full legal name is 33 characters long?
Thank you.
Jarrod West
November 28, 2020
Hi Jorge,
There does not appear to be any information regarding this available online. So I recommend you contact your local DMV office to find out.
Jorge
November 28, 2020
Thank you, Jarrod.
Sarah Gray
February 17, 2021
I can’t find a DMV open in NM right now. I need to get my daughter an ID so she can fly in March. Even if it’s not a Real ID, the plane will not allow her to get on one without it. She doesn’t have a passport. Any other options? Any help is greatly appreciated.
Jarrod West
February 17, 2021
Hi Sarah,
What resource are you using to check to see if DMV’s are open? According to their government page, it seems that there quite a few locations that are open M-F. If you’re not able to get her a state ID in time you can use any of these other forms of identification instead.
Sarah Gray
February 18, 2021
Thanks so much for the suggestion! Unfortunately, the website is not updated. it says they’re open but you can’t make an appointment and when you call they say they are closed. We can’t get any other ID.
Scott F
March 08, 2021
Question: My California Driver License expires 1/2022. It does NOT state “federal limits apply”, nor does it have a star or anything, as it was issued in 2016. My understanding is that I will not need to upgrade to the Real ID until it has expired as it does not state that this current ID is limited in any way. What are your thoughts?
Jarrod West
March 08, 2021
Hi Scott,
That is correct. You should not need to upgrade your ID until it expires, unless you plan to use your ID for domestic airline travel after October 1st, 2021.
Daryl
April 12, 2021
I’m glad you didn’t write a liberal opinion piece about how unfair and unAmerican it is to have voter ID’s.
All I want from the press are facts when giving the NEWS, not opinions.
Thank you
Tessa
November 23, 2021
If my CA drivers license says ‘federal limits apply’ can I use this for domestic travel (to hawaii) until the new Real ID date of May 2023?
Jarrod West
November 29, 2021
Hi Tessa,
Yes, you should be fine to use that to travel to Hawaii.
Heather Feather
December 24, 2021
I am in CA. Applied for my Real ID a long time ago. It arrived in snail mail 12/22/2021 with an expiration date of my Birthday in January 2027. As my regular driver’s license expires 2022, I had received a renewal notice indicating the need to take the written test, fingerprints and new photo. However, now I have a valid Driver’s license with REAL ID that says it expires in 2027, do I need to keep the appointment to do all that the notice indicates? Guidance appreciated.
Jarrod West
December 29, 2021
Hi Heather,
Since you already have a new drivers license, my guess would be that you should not have to keep that appointment, but I would contact your local DMV just to make certain.
Dinah
August 01, 2022
I got my Real ID when I renewed my Florida license in April. I have flown several times and it won’t go through the security machine. So I show my global entry card. What do I do to correct this? Do I have to get a new one?
Jarrod West
August 01, 2022
Hi Dinah,
I would contact your local DMW to see if they can determine what the issue with your ID is.
Rose
April 13, 2023
Hi. My Real ID expires in September but I will travel in May. Do I need to renew it because it is less than 6 month validity? Thanks
Jarrod West
April 14, 2023
Hi Rose,
As long as it has not expired when you travel then you should not have any issues.
Snoglydox
May 24, 2023
I don’t want a real ID nor do I need one, as I do not fly and will not enter any building requiring me to have the ID, but have no issues carrying additional information if that happens on some rare unlikely occasion. I had to deal with my wife being raped and murdered in our own home because the person was able to get our address from her stolen driver license, so I do not want my address available for all to see and deal with the pain with my daughter (she’s gorgeous and guys of all ages follow her everywhere she goes.)
How do we get just a regular driver license so we may have just the PO Box on the front and piece of mind?
Christine Krzyszton
May 29, 2023
I am so sorry for your loss. Securing a REAL ID is not necessary if you’re not flying or if you have a passport. You can still obtain a regular driver’s license using the same process you have in the past. Whether or not you can have a P.O. Box on it may be determined by the requirements of your state of residence.
Melvin Duncan
July 28, 2023
How many years do you get with the real ID?
Jarrod West
July 29, 2023
Hi Melvin,
Typically anywhere from 3 to 8 years depending on your state and age.
Any thoughts or questions? Comment below!
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