You have one month left to get your Real ID before the May 2025 deadline: It's 'crunch time,' expert says

https://www.cnbc.com/2025/04/07/real-id-deadline-its-crunch-time-expert-says.html

104 points · 23 comments · view on lemmy.world

23 Comments

bobs_monkey@lemm.ee · 59 pts · 1y (2 replies)

Heads up for Americans, a US passport card satisfies the air travel requirement, but only domestically. You still need the actual book to fly internationally.

adespoton@lemmy.ca · 16 pts · 1y (1 reply)

And that includes to Canada.

bobs_monkey@lemm.ee · 16 pts · 1y

And Mexico, but land and sea only. Air travel to either requires the book.

KelvarIW@lemmy.blahaj.zone · 38 pts · 1y (1 reply)
[ removed ]
humorlessrepost@lemmy.world · 11 pts · 1y

Which includes the far more convenient passport cards. Don’t even have to bring the book.

besselj@lemmy.ca · 34 pts · 1y

Not if the airline industry collapses first!

robocall@lemmy.world · 21 pts · 1y (4 replies)

I have a passport. I'm not concerned about a real id.

dmtalon@infosec.pub · 10 pts · 1y (3 replies)

That's my opinion... I'm not going out of my way to get a real id when my passport works fine.

atzanteol@sh.itjust.works · 4 pts · 1y (2 replies)

You don't have a driver's license?

dmtalon@infosec.pub · 6 pts · 1y

I have one that doesn't expire for a few years. And the requirement to get a real ID is more work than just grabbing my passport.

I don't understand why if I can fly with my passport, I cannot get a real ID with my passport

bitchkat@lemmy.world · 6 pts · 1y

In my state, you can get real id driver's license or regular. I have the habit of not renewing mine until after its expired and I have a trip with a rental car coming up. I end up needing license right now so can't afford to wait for real id.

SarcasticMan@lemmy.world · 17 pts · 1y (2 replies)

In Texas, if you have renewed or applied for a new Drivers License after October 10th, 2016 it is a Real ID. To check look at your DL, on the top right side there should be a white star in a gold circle.

Edit: added October 10th

Example

hedgehogging_the_bed@lemmy.world · 8 pts · 1y (1 reply)

PA we had an option to get a RealD but you could only go to particular DMV locations and you had to bring 3x the paperwork.

bitchkat@lemmy.world · 3 pts · 1y

And in MN you need to make an appt.

IamSparticles@lemmy.zip · 9 pts · 1y (7 replies)

Not sure how they're handling this in other states, but here in WA, to get a Real ID compliant driver's license you have to pay $116 for the first 5 years. I think it's a bit less to renew once you've been through the application process. Or I can pay $130 to get my passport renewed and it's good for 10 years. That covers both domestic and international flights. So I don't really see the point of also getting a Real ID if you already have a passport. And honestly, even if you don't plan to travel international any time soon, the passport is probably still a better deal in the long run.

uuldika@lemmy.ml · 1 pts · 1y (2 replies)

I only had to pay $14 here in WA. maybe it's different depending?

IamSparticles@lemmy.zip · 1 pts · 1y (1 reply)

Are you sure that's an Enhanced Driver's License (EID)? That sounds like the standard renewal fee for a regular driver's license, which doesn't meet the Real ID requirements. To get the EID you have to go through a whole different application process that requires proof of citizenship. You can find the fee schedule here: https://dol.wa.gov/id-cards/enhanced-id-card-eid/get-enhanced-id-card-eid

Those fees are in addition to the normal driver's license fees.

uuldika@lemmy.ml · 1 pts · 1y

it's an enhanced driver's license. I showed my passport and everything. if you look ar that fee schedule, I paid the "upgrade" fee ($7) because I already had a regular driver's license, and it expires two years from now, so $7*2=$14.

QuarterSwede@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 1y

Colorado rolled out Real ID in 2012 (one of the first states) and there is no extra fee. If you’re eligible here you get a compliant ID or drivers license. Current cost is $30.87 for 3 years for most drivers.

LimeZest@discuss.tchncs.de · 1 pts · 1y

That is expensive! In Texas it is $33 for a standard driver’s license and lasts 8 years. All these recommendations to get a passport card make a lot more sense now. I was confused at first because passports here are way less affordable than a driver’s license and you can’t drive with a passport, so you still need that driver’s license in a car-centric state. Real ID started rolling out in 2012 so people have really been dragging their feet if they still don’t have one. I don’t think you can get a driver’s license or ID card here without Real ID. Also stores that sell alcohol don’t take a passport here either, so you need a state ID if you want to drink.

Fredthefishlord@lemmy.blahaj.zone · 1 pts · 1y

Illinois it's 50. 116 is expensive as all get out for something that is required for basic air travel

iamdefinitelyoverthirteen@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 1y

Yeah, right? I'll just stick with my Fake ID and not spend the money, since I already have a passport.

Kazumara@discuss.tchncs.de · 9 pts · 1y (1 reply)

Why do the REAL ID standards and national passport cards exist? Don't they fundamentally perform the same function?

circuitfarmer@lemmy.sdf.org · 4 pts · 1y

Yes.