If you're in Virginia and need to get the Real ID, look at DMV's web site and see when the mobile DMV (the bus) will be near you. Ten minutes, easy-breezy.

For my fellow Michiganders:
I was due for driver license renewal so I went on the S.O.S. website to look to see how much it was going to cost. There I read that I would have to have the Real ID "upgrade". They evidently wanted documentation of every aspect of my existence dating back to when my Father first asked my Mother for a date. I gather up all the this paperwork and rocket off to the Yoop S.O.S office.
And.... They glanced at my Birth Certificate, took my $$$ and said watch your mailbox, we will send you your new license.
So... Much ado about nothing!
But I have a little star now.

quote:

Originally posted by Pipe Smoker:

quote:

Originally posted by arfmel:

quote:

Originally posted by Georgeair:


BTW - realize a passport works as an alternative as some of you mentioned. Are you sure you can fly around domestically with just Global Entry?

In my experience, yes.

Probably does, but I believe the requirement for domestic commercial flights doesn’t go into effect until 1/1/2020, so experience prior to that date isn’t evidence.

I got a DL with Real ID last year.

by october 2020.

fuck no...no way i will intentionally give the gov more info on me than they already have...besides, i may just "have" to stay home and NOT travel.

Two months ago, the state asked me by email if I would apply for the Real ID as a Betta tester. I have gone to their site 4 times and it is always down. I'll use my passport if I have to.

Got mine about 6 months ago as I frequently visit military bases and I have to provide it or a passport.

I got one. I fly. And after sometime in 2020 you have to have it get on a plane, even domestic flights.

I am in Virginia and find this to be a huge inconvenience. I live in a rural county, so when I heard they woud be sending a team out to the courthose to facilitate this, I went. I walk into a room, where there must be 40 people sitting in chairs. There are two DMV folks sitting behind a table. The first is doing the screening, checking the documentation, you have brought. The 40 people have been through the documentation phase and are waiting for phase two with the second official. For some reason, phase two, which includes a photo, is taking about 15 minutes per applicant. So, I do the math, 40 people in front of me, 15 minutes each, I figure, they'll be snapping my picture in about ten hours. Needless to say, I didn't stick around. I have heard from people, who have braved the zoo, which is one of the DMV locations and they say it is as bad or worse there. Can you imagine the extent of the boondoggle that is going to occur on the day after the deadline, when thousands of people, who have not endured this procedure are turned away from their flights. It's going to make Y2K look like a walk in the park. One other interesting point. The pamphlet explaining Real ID, lists people not required to have one. Most of the exemptions are for people holding various forms of federal government ID's but the one that got my attention was anyone with a Canadian driver's license. So our goverment is making US citzens jump through all these hoops in order to board an airplane but Canadians can just walk aboard. I have tried unsuccessfully so far, to find an explanation for that.

quote:

Originally posted by navyshooter:
I did it earlier this year. The state I live in requires it for firearm purchases.

I wonder about that. I did it when renewing my license earlier this year and the DMV made a complete hash out of it. Ended up throwing a hitch in a PPT (Private Party Transfer, something that has to be done face to face at an FFL here) and taking a couple of months to straighten out. Sigh... No extra charges at the DMV, just lots of hassles and multiple trips and calls.

I wonder if one really has to have Real ID, or if a regular license (showing residency) and a US passport would work. It didn’t matter as I’d already started the Real ID process before they came up with the requirement, but I’m curious.

quote:

Originally posted by Holger Danske:
I got mine last year because I was going to be flying a lot and hadn't gotten around to renewing my passport. I couldn't find my social security card, but Louisiana allows you to substitute your DD-214. Seamless processing, then the lady behind the desk asked whether I wanted the "Veteran" notation on my DL. I didn't know such a thing was an option, and my first reaction was no, it seemed a bit much for what I had done, but then I thought, what the hell would it hurt. So there's that.

Yep we've had Veteran on our DL in Louisiana for a good while. I went to Baton Rouge and got a new one when they started I didn't a VA card at the time.
I don't have the real ID I don't fly but I do have a CHP.

I have one, got it last year sometime when I renewed... the interesting thing is I had to go take a FAA test a few weeks ago and took both my D.L. and Passport to the testing center and the lady checking me in preferred my Passport.

I've had a NY enhanced license for several years. I'm right on the Canadian border and it gets us across the border without a passport. It's a step beyond a Real ID.

Pennsylvania was late to the game. Real ID was made available in March of this year, my license was do for renewal in March so I assembled every document necessary (soon to be old license, passport, birth certificate, social security card and a recent utility bill with my name and address) took my checkbook (no cash, no cards) to pay the $30 fee and surrendered to the borg.

In PA we go to a license center, there is almost always a line. Every license center I have visited is staffed by minimalist government employees, they will answer questions it's up to you to ask the correct question. They do not offer guidance, other than the woman who looked at the growing line outside the door as said: "We don't open for 15 minutes". Very helpful, since none of us could read the sign stating hours of operation directly to our left.

The doors opened, I got my number and was processed. The woman who processed my application asked for each piece of documentation, as she did I pulled it from the folder and smiled. She asked for my check, I pulled it from my checkbook and smiled. A week later in the mail, my Real ID arrived, I smiled.

You would be correct if you ascertained I am not a fan of the PA process. It has been in place for photo ID's. In my experience the license centers are places of mindless bureaucracy so I renew my license for as long as allowed, put on my happy face and suffer through it.

I fly occasionally for family and business, seldom out of the country, so the Real ID is a convenience thing.

I've got the Veteran and Real ID on my MA license. Did the Real ID this past summer. I did it at a AAA membership office and if you have all your paperwork in order you will be in and out in 15 minutes.

A little yellow star required for ID...

Scratching a memory somewhere.


But, I had need to change my address so I went to real ID route

quote:

Originally posted by KMitch200:
Nope...got a passport, don’t need it. Prefer driving to flying.
TSA can grope someone else.

I don't really need a REAL ID, because I also have a passport (for flying). However, when I have to renew my DL next year I'll probably go ahead and update it.

flashguy

The first time I walked into the DMV to upgrade my license , the guy asked me for the required documents . When I handed him my Social Security card he gave it right back . " This one won't do . It says Not For Identification on the bottom . We can't accept it " . Apparently the new SS cards don't have that anymore . He told me to get a new one or bring a W-2 that has my SS number on it . So I went home and got an old W-2 and we made another trip . Took half a day but I got the damn thing .

quote:

Originally posted by selogic:
The first time I walked into the DMV to upgrade my license , the guy asked me for the required documents . When I handed him my Social Security card he gave it right back . " This one won't do . It says Not For Identification on the bottom . We can't accept it " . Apparently the new SS cards don't have that anymore . He told me to get a new one or bring a W-2 that has my SS number on it . So I went home and got an old W-2 and we made another trip . Took half a day but I got the damn thing .

That's hilarious! Typical bureaucracy.

LOL Doesn't it say "Do not laminate" on the card itself.

quote:

Originally posted by sig2392:
MA turned me down because my SS card was laminated.
...

quote:

Originally posted by ergoproxy:
LOL Doesn't it say "Do not laminate" on the card itself.

quote:

Originally posted by sig2392:
MA turned me down because my SS card was laminated.
...

I lost my SS card decades ago and new bothered to get a replacement. I also haven't found a need for it. My Medicare card seems to be enough.

FWIW, the "Not for Identification" notation has been missing for a very long time. It is obvious that restriction disappeared when the SS number began to be used by the medical profession as the key to filing records.

flashguy