Starting in May, Real IDs will finally be required at airports and federal facilities. If you got your Real ID-compliant driver’s license when they first started rolling out years ago, it’s probably about time to renew it – and be careful when you do.
In keeping with the agency’s longtime goal of making life as complicated as possible, the California DMV doesn’t issue new Real IDs automatically – you have to check a box on the renewal form saying you want one.
If you don’t check the box, you’ll get a federally non-compliant ID and ruin your upcoming vacation.
“You will not be able to get through TSA security without a real ID or other federally compliant ID like a passport or military ID, and you won't be able to go to any type of federal facility like a courthouse or a federal building and get through security there,” the DMV’s Chris Orrock told KNX News’ Karen Adams.
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But don’t panic – if you get the wrong ID, Orrock said you can go to a DMV office or give them a call to replace it. People who previously had Real IDs won’t have to provide documentation again to get another one.
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