I’m old enough that I have to take a written test to get my California drivers license renewed. Did that today, and passed! A relief.

I took in enough documents that my new drivers license will a “REAL ID”. A REAL ID will be required for domestic airline flights as of 2020 (but I think a current US passport will work too).

Although a REAL ID isn’t currently required for domestic airline flights, I’m wondering if it has any current benefits. E.g., less hassle with airport security?

I got one last year. The requirement for a Real ID was supposed to be the beginning of this year but a few states couldn't make it happen in time so they got an extension.

There is no real difference at the airport. The only difference I have noticed is that some stores scan it when I am buying alcohol instead of the person finding your birth date and typing it in.

I also found it funny that in order to get the Real ID here in GA you had to provide a few forms of ID and my previous GA drivers license didn't count as one they accepted.

And yes a passport works in place of the Real ID for air travel.

Goodness. I feel like I've had the Real ID for almost ten years now in Utah.

quote:

Originally posted by Pale Horse:

And yes a passport works in place of the Real ID for air travel.

Well of course it does.

quote:

Originally posted by Balzé Halzé:

quote:

Originally posted by Pale Horse:

And yes a passport works in place of the Real ID for air travel.

Well of course it does.

Well the OP didn't seem sure so I felt like I would confirm it for him. What may seem obvious to people who travel by air a lot isn't always to those who don't.

quote:

Originally posted by Pale Horse:


Well the OP didn't seem sure so I felt like I would confirm it for him. What may seem obvious to people who travel by air a lot isn't always to those who don't.

Fair enough.

And to the OP in regards to this: "Although a REAL ID isn’t currently required for domestic airline flights, I’m wondering if it has any current benefits. E.g., less hassle with airport security?"

No. As Pale Horse said, it has absolutely no benefits as far as getting through security faster or with less hassle.

Drive up to the Needles DMV. A lot less headache with wait time.

You know; stand in line for 2.5 - 3.0 hours to get a number the wait 2 hours for said number to be called. BTW - can you guess what numbers the metrix the DMV uses for claiming how low the wait time at the DMV is?

quote:

Originally posted by Pipe Smoker:

...Although a REAL ID isn’t currently required for domestic airline flights, I’m wondering if it has any current benefits. E.g., less hassle with airport security?

It'll be easier to get a visitor pass on military bases. At the Rock Island Arsenal (with a great museum) it takes a few minutes as they run a quick background check. I've read that in a few years if you don't have Real ID it'll be even harder to get in.

https://www.usagria.army.mil/AccessRequests/

https://www.usagria.army.mil/A...Requests/RealID.aspx

Look into Global Entry. It includes the TSA precheck.
When we returned from Europe, there was a large room full of people clearing customs and immigration. We walked to a kiosk, scanned our passports and fingerprints, then completed 7 questions. A receipt was printed. We picked up out bags and exited the Global Entry gate.
The TSA precheck makes getting through TSA a breeze.
https://www.cbp.gov/travel/tru...rograms/global-entry

I have a Nexus card which has it’s own benefit. I also have a passport card which can be handy at times. Here in Washington State, you can basically get a drivers license after passing the tests and fogging a mirror. I decided to renew my drivers license with the real ID. Took almost 2-hours. Wednesday and Saturday are the worst days to go to our version of DMV. I went on a Tuesday. It’s done now.

Tv station here just did a news story using a DMV close to me in Poway, Ca.
Average wait time was 5 hours. Those with appointments were waiting at least 2.5 hours.
Mine not up till next year, I'll wait till the madness wears off.

i had to renew my license at the beginning of August since it expired on my birthday. made my account and got an appointment 1st week of June soonest available was the Friday before my Monday birthday.

show up at DMV at 11 for 11:20 appointment. The non appointment line was around the building and then another hundred at least inside. appointment line was only 20 deep. Finally spoke to somebody about 1130. Go use the computer on the wall. Got to the computer and fill in everything and get a code #. go back to employee, great now wait till number called. 11:55 number pops up. Lady look out all my "RealID" documentation, seems to be in order for her. i pay my 35$. Now go across building for a photo. wait 5 more minutes at photo line. Take pic. Now go back to original lady. Paperwork is in order (still) heres your temper ID paper printout. out the door at 12:15

FYI, per my gun store employee friends ( 2 different shops) they have been instructed by CA DOJ that a "federal limits apply" ID, i.e not a REALID, is not sufficient to buy a gun now. A Passport doesn't prove enough to the state either according to them.

All the DMV folks I dealt with were super friendly and apologetic for the line and they all blame it on Sacramento for the ever changing rules and they didn't even know if in 5 years at renewal time you will need to prove it all again to keep a REAL ID. Their guidance changes often apparently.

Will lip-tattoos be required, too?

Brands, maybe, or implanted trackers?

When I went to get my DL I opted for the RealID. I figure it’s a way to slowly filter out the illegals who have been given a DL over the last ten years..eventually the RealID will be required and they can’t get em.

I went with RealID when I renewed my Indiana license this spring. In and out in less than 30 minutes and good until 2025. Price was about the same as regular license, around $20.

 
When the RealID thing was first proposed (10 or so years ago?), AZ passed a law, or perhaps even a constitutional amendment, that AZ would not comply. Now that it is looking to become necessary, AZ's MVD offers to make your DL into a RealID, requiring all of the pertinent documentation. For an extra $25, you can get the gold star, which is the universal symbol for a RealID.
 

quote:

Originally posted by henryaz:
 
When the RealID thing was first proposed (10 or so years ago?), AZ passed a law, or perhaps even a constitutional amendment, that AZ would not comply.
 

Utah did the same thing, passed a law saying it would not comply. And then whether by circumstance or whatever almost immediately did comply. We've had it for quite awhile now. Interesting that it seems to be an option for some of you. I don't know if it is an option or not in Utah. I was never asked. It was simply the license I was issued when I got it.

quote:

Originally posted by ElToro:
i had to renew my license at the beginning of August since it expired on my birthday. made my account and got an appointment 1st week of June soonest available was the Friday before my Monday birthday. <snip>

I tried to get a DMV appointment about five weeks before my drivers license expired. The earliest one I could get, at a station near me, was six weeks AFTER it expired.

I now have my e-calendar set to give me monthly reminders to check the CA DMV reservation queue length (via the CA DMV app on my iPhone) beginning a year before my license next expires.

quote:

Originally posted by Balzé Halzé:

quote:

Originally posted by Pale Horse:


Well the OP didn't seem sure so I felt like I would confirm it for him. What may seem obvious to people who travel by air a lot isn't always to those who don't.

Fair enough.

And to the OP in regards to this: "Although a REAL ID isn’t currently required for domestic airline flights, I’m wondering if it has any current benefits. E.g., less hassle with airport security?"

No. As Pale Horse said, it has absolutely no benefits as far as getting through security faster or with less hassle.

Not quite. Without one, you won't be getting through security.

quote:

Originally posted by fpuhan:

quote:

Originally posted by Balzé Halzé:

quote:

Originally posted by Pale Horse:


Well the OP didn't seem sure so I felt like I would confirm it for him. What may seem obvious to people who travel by air a lot isn't always to those who don't.

Fair enough.

And to the OP in regards to this: "Although a REAL ID isn’t currently required for domestic airline flights, I’m wondering if it has any current benefits. E.g., less hassle with airport security?"

No. As Pale Horse said, it has absolutely no benefits as far as getting through security faster or with less hassle.

Not quite. Without one, you won't be getting through security.

I was surprised to read you can get through TSA without an ID, though I would not try it.

Forgot Your ID?

In the event you arrive at the airport without valid identification, because it is lost or at home, you may still be allowed to fly. The TSA officer may ask you to complete an identity verification process which includes collecting information such as your name, current address, and other personal information to confirm your identity. If your identity is confirmed, you will be allowed to enter the screening checkpoint. You may be subject to additional screening, to include a patdown and screening of carry-on property.

You will not be allowed to enter the security checkpoint if your identity cannot be confirmed, you chose to not provide proper identification or you decline to cooperate with the identity verification process.

TSA recommends that you arrive at least two hours in advance of your flight time.

If your identity cannot be verified, you will not be allowed to enter the screening checkpoint.

https://www.tsa.gov/travel/sec...ntification#forgotID