I got my real ID drivers license 5 years ago, and just renewed it. People have known about this for a long time.
At least in NC, all I needed to do was bring my passport to the DMV. They gave me a temp piece of paperwork stating it would be in the mail from the state, and about two weeks later it was in my mailbox.
In our case, I think it was passport plus old driver's license, plus some other form of ID. Not that difficult, except that the name on my passport doesn't match the name on my driver's license, which I knew would cause delays. Since I was headed out of town for awhile at that time (to UK or Germany, I think?), I just didn't want to deal with things get hosed up and causing delays.
When I moved to NC 20 years ago, that's when it was a pain with both SS card and birth certificate.
I got my real ID a few years ago. She asked me if I was a Veteran, she said if you are you can have it on your ID. The following week I brought my DD214 in and she put VET on my read ID.
I doubt it will ever be a "must", as long as Passports supercede drivers licenses as a form of identification in all countries around the world, and as long as there's still some part of our population who doesn't drive! But I could see them completely doing away with the old "not-REAL" driver's licenses.
We checked our passports last night. They're good until 2027. Our son's was renewed last year. I don't plan on getting a "real ID" and will depend on my passport to fly until something changes.
We both got our real IDs quite a while ago. It wasn't a problem at all. Just had to take some extra documents to the DMV.
The only thing I like about my local DMV is the drive thru for license plate sticker. I believe you need an appointment for most other things in Illinois now.We both got our real IDs quite a while ago. It wasn't a problem at all. Just had to take some extra documents to the DMV.
I will say, that years back when Mitch Daniels was governor, one of the best things he did was overhaul the DMV. They changed things around, and now you rarely wait for more than a few minutes for anything at the branch. Same clerks, too. The system was broken. Sometimes you walk in and pull a number and barely have time to sit down before they call you.
We can do a lot of things on-line. That's pretty handy.
I had my passport ID card but I think the California process was stricter then?
When I got my first Passport ID Card local law enforcement at the court house had never seen one… they asked if I was a government employee or with the state department at the Alameda County Court House
You can bring either a passport or birth certificate and social security card.
Renewed my license last Sept. Needed birth certificate, SS card, Current DL, A utility bill with home address. Could have used a bank or CC statement also. Wife also had to take our marriage license plus above documents. My wife and I were prepared and had scheduled appointments online. In and out in 30-40 minutes. Telling people in room 3-4 hour wait if no appointment.
