Is this for REAL? You bet! Beginning October 1, 2020, the federal government will require your driver license or ID card to be REAL ID compliant if you wish to board a domestic flight or enter military bases and most federal buildings. On January 22, 2018, California DMV began offering REAL ID cards—a driver license or identification card with a new tamper resistant design—as an option to customers. Now what? Do you need one? How do you get one? All good questions with the answers to follow.
First of all, the new REAL ID is not LAFD specific. It is for every U.S. citizen and serves to satisfy federal regulation of proper ID when traveling within the United States. The REAL ID Act establishes minimum security standards for license issuance and prohibits federal agencies from accepting for certain purposes driver’s licenses and identification cards from states not meeting the Act’s minimum standards.
Currently there are over 32 states that meet the minimum standard, with the rest given an extension until October 1, 2020, including California. After that date you will either be required to have in your possession a new REAL ID, or you will need a U.S. passport when accessing federal facilities, entering nuclear power plants, and boarding federally regulated commercial aircraft—yes, even for a quick flight to Vegas. If you do not plan to enter any of those facilities or fly on a federally regulated flight, your current ID/DL will suffice—for now. You do not need a real ID/DL to drive, apply for, or receive federal benefits. You may enter a federal facility that doesn’t require ID such as a post office. It will not hinder you from visiting a hospital or receiving life-saving services, and it has no bearing on non-federal law enforcement proceedings or investigations.
Do you want a REAL ID/DL? The procedure is not all that much different than obtaining the current ID/DL. The difference comes in the form of the documentation you must bring with you when visiting the DMV. Without the proper forms, you will be turned away, so please read the following carefully.
In order to obtain a REAL ID, you MUST bring with you at least one document from EACH of the following sections.
1. IDENTITY DOCUMENT
• Valid, unexpired U.S. Passport or Passport card
• Certified copy of a U.S or US territory birth certificate
• Certificate of Naturalization or Citizenship
• Unexpired foreign passport with valid U.S. Visa and approved I-94 form
2. PROOF OF SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER
• Social Security card
• W-2 form
• SSA-1099
• Non-SSA-1099
• Paystub with full SSN
3. PROOF OF CALIFORNIA ADDRESS
• Deed or title to residential real property
• Mortgage bill
• Home Utility (including cellphone)
• IRS or FTB tax returns
• Change of address confirmation by the U.S. Postal Service
• Property Tax bill
• California certificate of vehicle (pink slip) or vessel title or registration
• A document issued by a U.S. Government agency
• If your ID document is in a different name, you will need to provide a certified name change document such as a marriage license, divorce decree or court document
The lists above may not be complete so verify with the DMV via their website prior to visiting them for further information.
What if your license expires before October 1, 2020? You have two choices.
One choice is to go online (eDLapp.dmv.ca.gov) and fill out the REAL ID application prior to making an appointment to visit the DMV. Then, when you visit the field office bring the requested information listed above and take the required test(s) just as in prior years. Will you be able to RENEW your current ID/DL online and receive a REAL ID? The answer is NO. To apply you can start the process online but you must complete it in person at a DMV field office. AAA will not be able to help you in this matter.
“If you renew your current driver license or ID card online or by mail, you will automatically receive a federally non-compliant card with the phrase “Federal Limits Apply” printed on the card.”
Your second choice in this matter is you apply for such ID/DL as you did in the past. You will not receive a REAL ID but instead a federal non-compliant driver license or ID and be limited to all that it provides. Remember, this REAL ID applies to all things federal, even things such as purchasing firearms and ammunition. Without it, you may need to show satisfactory proof of legal presence. Make sure you check with the firearms dealer or any federally controlled facility you plan to visit to verify their identification requirements.
By John Hicks