You Know You Are Old When

[MossRoad]

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.

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.

 

[MossRoad]

One of our kids is going out of country this summer, so we wanted to make sure our passports were good in case something happens and one of us has to go. Always have a good backup plan, as awful as that sounds.

 

[NoTrespassing]

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.

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.

 

[MossRoad]

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 can do a lot of things on-line. That's pretty handy.

 

[ultrarunner]

When I moved to NC 20 years ago, that's when it was a pain with both SS card and birth certificate.

Both are now in the safe, but both are "official copies" which was the pain the butt part. They don't want you laminating your SS card, and back in the 90's, I use to carry it in my wallet when I moved around a lot. See how long a thin piece of paper lasts in wallet over the decades LOL

I'd get your "real ID" taken care of. Sooner the better IMO because it's going to be a must, and it's gives you time for any unforeseen hiccups dealing with the illustrious state system (my wife convinced me LOL). As mentioned, with a passport (which wasn't fun getting) easy peasy at least in NC.

I had my passport ID card but I think the California process was stricter then?

 

[ultrarunner]

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.

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

 

[jyoutz]

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.

If there's even the remotest possibility that a government employee can find a way to screw something up, they usually will.

You can bring either a passport or birth certificate and social security card.

 

[ultrarunner]

California was the longest to have Covid protocol in place…

Oakland City Hall still was mostly work from home and mask required to enter… most all meetings are zoom in 2025.

 

[mjonesnh]

You might be right on that. Last time I renewed, getting the real ID looked to be such a huge PITA, that I just renewed to the old ("fake ID"?) type. I was headed out of town, and didn't want any glitch in the ID change to hold me up.

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.

 

[ultrarunner]

Could very well be quirks with California DMV as when a lien against my tax return was pending for non payment of registration renewal…

Good thing I had my canceled check and had received my current year registration…

It was blamed on a computer glitch but the state doesn’t fool around and it took my local representative to get involved…