If I don’t already have a Real ID, do I have to apply in person? Alas, yes you do if this is your first Real ID. (I assumed it was a man, but it doesn’t matter I would have done it for anyone.) The response: That’s a pretty big promise. I said it could, and I replied that if I were wrong, I would pick him up, take him to the DMV, stand in line for him and summon him when it was his turn, then take him to lunch afterward. One reader asked me recently whether I was sure this could be done online. But there’s still confusion after all these months. In June, the DMV said its messaging was being revised. California issued stay-at-home orders March 19. The United States declared a health emergency March 13. The World Health Organization declared COVID a pandemic March 11. That column mentioned above? It’s dated Feb. Your notice may tell you to come into an office, but due to special circumstances, related to Covid-19, try online first.” That is true, but if you go to the DMV renewal page, you’ll find this note: “All driver’s licenses MAY now be renewed online. Just don’t try to board a domestic flight using only that starting Oct.
#DMV NON DRIVERS LICENSE RENEWAL LICENSE#
If you have a regular driver’s license and it’s current you are fine to drive. Here’s what you need to know now.ĭo I need a Real ID to drive? No. (You will still need a passport for international travel.) It’s been awhile since I’ve harangued you about it, and a few things have changed. That’s when you must have it (or the aforementioned other form of ID) to get on a domestic flight. We may see a travel uptick in the fall, which coincides with the new Oct. Not that air travel isn’t still a mess - worldwide, it’s down 47% from a year ago, according to industry analyst OAG - but the advent of the vaccine has many of us dreaming again. Its implementation has been delayed several times, including last year, because air travel was enough of a mess due to COVID-19. The license, which complies with federal regulations enacted as part of the work of the 9/11 Commission, has been 15 years in the making. As we begin to think “Hmm, vaccine, fall travel, airplane,” you may want to add Real ID to your thought process if you haven’t already applied for and received one.Ībout 9.5 million Californians have, but 13.3 million said, “Nah, don’t want it.” That’s because they either aren’t going to fly domestically or have other acceptable forms of identification that will work, including a passport or passport card ( lat.ms/OtherAcceptableID). Listen, I hate to bring up bad memories, but - Real ID.