Californians who received driver’s licenses or identification cards from the Department of Motor Vehicles during the pandemic can get a free REAL ID upgrade through the end of 2021.
“We don’t want Californians to pay the price for not getting a REAL ID during the pandemic,” said DMV Director Steve Gordon.
“While the federal government has extended the enforcement date for a REAL ID, there is no need to procrastinate. If you act now, you can take advantage of this offer and upgrade to a REAL ID for free.”
Beginning in May 2023, air travelers 18 or older will need a REAL ID-compliant driver's license or identification card or another TSA-acceptable for security checkpoints to fly domestically. The deadline for Americans to obtain a REAL ID card was pushed back to due to the pandemic.
During the pandemic, the DMV temporarily expanded eligibility to renew licenses or ID cards online or by mail. However, people applying for a REAL ID must go into a DMV office.
Click here for information on how to upgrade your license or ID to a REAL ID card.
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