As the new federal regulations were confirmed last May 7th, Lauren Mills of New Jersey is among several Americans who are currently rushing to obtain an updated driver’s license within the next 30 days so they can keep driving and traveling domestically without restrictions. After years of delaying the “REAL ID” deadline, the Department of Homeland Security is scheduled to enforce it on that date. In response to the 9/11 Commission’s recommendation to enhance federal identification security requirements, the REAL ID Act was passed in 2005.
Finally, there is a Real ID deadline set for this month, and Americans should comply with it
According to a spokesman for the Transportation Security Administration, the DHS aviation security agency, whose officers verify passengers’ identities at US airport checkpoints, REAL ID state-issued identification cards greatly strengthen identity verification, which is one of the most important components related to transportation security in the country. Given what’s going on right now, which I liken to the pandemic’s toilet paper, I believe that everyone is in a panic and wants to schedule an appointment. Mills added that there’s no information about the appointments that the licensing centers in New Jersey are using to process the new identification documents. Another example is the case of Mills, a resident of Boonton, who has been checking the website of the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (NJMVC) for available REAL ID appointments for the past four weeks but has been unsuccessful until now.
Since the deadline has increased demand from people scrambling to fulfill it before they travel, many citizens are perplexed about who needs a REAL ID, what is necessary to obtain one, and how quickly they will be able to obtain a new ID. The REAL ID rollout differs from state to state. For this reason, the REAL ID will become necessary for passengers without a valid passport, passport card, or other authorized identity to board aircraft, even if citizens without them will still be able to drive using their present non-compliant licenses and utilize that identification in other situations.
Although there is still a lot of competition to make the May 7 deadline, the final rule, which was released in January, provides the flexibility that is required by implementing enforcement gradually while taking security, operational risk, and public effect into consideration, according to the TSA. However, the agency recently highlighted that the REAL ID deadline will not be extended despite this new rule. It is important to note that by May 7th all travelers who are 18 years of age or older have the appropriate identification in order to prevent delays at airport security checkpoints.
Real ID demand is rising but time seems to be not enough
Drivers in the United States have had the option of renewing their licenses with REAL IDs for years, although implementation dates vary from state to state. The limits have been in place for around six years, according to Pennsylvania Department of Transportation Secretary Michael Carroll. Carroll explained that it is human nature for everyone to wait until the very last minute. By now, the Homeland Security deadline of May 7 looks inevitable, and I believe the public has realized that. According to Carroll, the waiting times in Pennsylvania are expected to be around an hour, which is much longer compared to previous REAL ID times.
To acquire more drivers ‘ REAL IDs, driver’s license offices in Pennsylvania, like those in other states that operate DMVs more regularly, are opening on Mondays, when the DMV is typically closed. Carroll stated that although drivers can still obtain their REAL ID at any time after May 7, the identity is necessary if they must take an airplane immediately after May 7. Mills, who resides in nearby New Jersey, is anxious to obtain a new ID as soon as possible because she fears having to board a flight without warning. Although it has expired, she still has a passport. She quickly acknowledged that she had delayed getting a new ID for too long.
