I'm not doing it.

My passport is expired now also.

If they won't let me fly...oh, well.

Canada's tantrums probably won't let me travel anyway. Screw them.

Now I can't get roped into going to any funerals, and I'm not obligated to travel to any lesser 49 events.

This requirement of ridiculous papers to travel interstate is ridiculous. Just say no.

I guess my timing was good for when my driver license had to be renewed. It was renewed with the Real ID Star. They told me I had to bring in all kinds of identity stuff, but never looked at any of it and just renewed it. I have a feeling a part of that is because I work for the state and there is so much information tied to me working for me on my driver license. If I even ever got a traffic ticket, my agency would be notified. I also have a passport and Global Entry.

WA State charges an extra $7/year for the “Real ID” BS. Now I could maybe understand an initial “upcharge” for verification/processing, etc. but I don’t quite understand any justification for an ongoing annual extra fee.

I made a solemn vow to not give this damn state one nickel more than I absolutely have to until I am able to GTFO. As such I no longer have personalized plates and will not participate in the Real ID game. Since our police are no longer allowed to do traffic stops for expired registration, I am even toying with the idea of not bothering to renew vehicle registrations when that time comes around.



Lots of folks don’t realize Real ID is worthless for international travel PERIOD whether it be land, sea, or air. It is ONLY good for ONE thing, domestic air travel.


A Passport is the “gold standard” for travel, domestic or international and is required for any international air travel, no exceptions. Passports are $165 initially, and currently $130 to renew and are good for 10 years.


For those who don’t want to pay for a Passport or play the Real ID game you can get a Passport Card . It is a Passport the size of a credit card with no Visa pages (not a Passport “book”). It is also good for 10 years and allows for the same domestic travel an “Real ID” in addition to being valid for land/sea entry into Canada or Mexico.

The initial cost is $65 ($6.50/yr) and renewal is only $30 for 10 years. It can be applied for and obtained separately, or in addition to, a traditional Passport.


If you apply for both Passport and Passport Card, there is a single initial $35 application fee so the Card as an “add on” is only $30.


For those who noted their Passports have expired, as long as it was issued within the past 15 years (less than 5 years expired) it can be renewed with no additional fees. If you don’t have a Passport Card, you can add it on to a Passport renewal at the $30 renewal charge.

When I moved here to TX in 18 I had a real ID from NC. Presented my NCDL, my passport, & my SSN. TX issued me a new TX Real DL.

FF to January when I had to renew. Which should have been an easy online thing. But they had me come into a DPS office. Fortunately I brought all the things. Passport, SSN, birth certificate,military ID (INDEF), 2bills. When I asked the nice lady why I couldn’t renew online she said they had to capture a copy of everyone’s birth certificate. I explained the passport had already verified it. She went on to say the “someone” said that everyone w/o a scanned birth certificate would have to present it.

Glad I’m thru that fiasco. The drivers license division of DPS is now an appointment only deal with only 2 spots daily for walk ins. And they were sending people to go fetch documents they had forgotten, if you couldn’t get it and be back in 30 minutes they were MKi g them get a new appointment.

Surprisingly renewing my LTC was easily done online.

I don't have a Passport . Don't need one . I don't anticipate ever flying again but I got the Real ID when I renewed my DL . It was no big deal and it's done .
They claim you will need the Real ID to access certain Government facilities and Nuclear power plants . There was a time when I did both but not any more .

quote:

Originally posted by MikeinNC:
When I asked the nice lady why I couldn’t renew online she said they had to capture a copy of everyone’s birth certificate. I explained the passport had already verified it. She went on to say the “someone” said that everyone w/o a scanned birth certificate would have to present it.

Birth certificates are the biggest pile of BS. It is something printed from a computer database. All it means is that the information is in a database and was printed onto official paper. Anyone with access to the database can add, alter, or delete information. Anyone with access to the official paper can print whatever they desire onto it. And, of course, a criminal can forge the document.

My original birth certificate is no longer accepted. That's the one typed by a nurse at the hospital when I was born and which has the actual signature of my mother and the doctor on it.

I have real ID, and when I went to deal with my CDL recently, it was not considered proof of anything. Neither was my CCW issued by my local sheriff.

I needed a utility bill to prove who I really was.

I've also had to provide a copy of my birth certificate 5 or 6 times since the time they told me I'd only have to show them once.

quote:

Originally posted by a1abdj:
I have real ID, and when I went to deal with my CDL recently, it was not considered proof of anything. Neither was my CCW issued by my local sheriff.

I needed a utility bill to prove who I really was.

I've also had to provide a copy of my birth certificate 5 or 6 times since the time they told me I'd only have to show them once.

My understanding is a utility bill is to show residency not ID.

quote:

My understanding is a utility bill is to show residency not ID

Yes, because your government issued ID showing your address along with your government issued CCW permit showing your address can't do that.

The only thing that actually proves where you live is an easily alterable if not easily fabricated piece of paper from your computer printer.

quote:

Originally posted by AKSuperDually:


This requirement of ridiculous papers to travel interstate is ridiculous. Just say no.

I'm actually surprised it's not been shot down as unconstitutional yet. There is NO REASON to have a national ID or have to use a passport to travel within your own country like this.

Internal passports restricting travel were a Soviet Union thing not an American thing.

I've mentioned it before but the biggest "F*CK YOU" to we American citizens about this whole thing was how the Biden regime would let illegals fly anywhere with NO ID AT ALL.

The deadline for RealID in KY coincided with the relocation of renewals to regional offices AND a new requirement for a visual field test to renew. Coupled with the new computer system that goes up and down at irregular intervals, renewal is a nightmare. I foolishly let my standard license expire in February. Renewal required the vision test, free at DMV but 110 bucks at your eye doctor. The problem is, the test takes 20+ minutes. Mix all this together and-NIGHTMARE. I spent several hours twice trying to in before I gave up and renewed online after paying for the exam. The only problem was, no temp license if you apply online SO-I went six weeks without being able to legally drive. I'm sure the cops would have cut me a break, but also sure the insurance company would have screwed me if I had an accident. Did I mention the ethnic mix at DMV? I showed up at 7:05am for an 8am opening and was 12th in line behind 11 non-English speakers. That's okay, though, it wasn't much under freezing and yeah, they make you wait outside. You get a text when it's your turn, IF it's ever your turn. I never thought I'd see an operation that made the Oakland, CA DMV look efficient.

Fredward -- that's a real horror story.

Contrast, here in Florida these things are handled by the county tax collector. This is an elected office, so they don't want to piss people off. We can do a walk-in and take our chances on wait time, or go online to make an appointment. Appointments are usually on time, very little waiting, at least here in Seminole county.

I can do one-stop shopping. Vehicle title / registration stuff, DL renewal, concealed carry permit (no longer required, but convenient to have), property tax. I have found the staff to be exceptionally courteous and helpful. Last time there, I was wearing a Navy veteran cap; the agent handed me a booklet listing veteran services in Florida.