Still need a California Real ID? Why the DMV is telling some people not to apply
Have you gotten your California Real ID yet?
In less than a week, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security will require people to have a federally approved document — such as a passport or a Real ID driver’s license — on hand for domestic plane travel.
In the lead up to the deadline, the California Department of Motor Vehicles is extending business hours at some locations across the state to handle the rush of Real ID applicants, the agency said.
However, not all Californians need to get the new form of identification before Wednesday, May 7, according to the DMV.
“If you already have a current U.S. passport or don’t need to fly within the U.S. in the next few months, you can wait to get your REAL ID until you renew your California driver’s license or ID,” DMV Director Steve Gordon said in a news release.
Here’s what you need to know about getting a California Real ID:
Why do I need a California Real ID?
Congress passed the Real ID Act in 2005 in an effort to strengthen national security in the United States.
The law was shaped around the 9/11 Commission’s recommendation to create federal standards for driver’s licenses and identification cards, according to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
“Secure driver’s licenses and identification documents are a vital component of our national security framework,” the federal agency said on its website.
The Real ID Act was originally set to go into effect in 2008.
However, a variety of delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and DMV backlogs delayed the deadline for more than a decade.
When does Real ID requirement start?
California’s Real ID requirement will be enforced beginning on Wednesday, May 7.
You’ll need the special state-issued identification card to board domestic airplane flights as well as access federal facilities and nuclear power plants, the Department of Homeland Security said on its website.
The law applies to everyone age 18 years or older, according to the federal agency.
How do I apply for a Real ID?
Applicants need to complete these steps to get a California Real ID from the DMV, according to the state road agency’s website:
▪ Submit a document that confirms your identity, such as a U.S. passport or birth certificate. Your current full name must match the name listed on the identity document.
▪ Provide two printed documents that prove your residence within the state. For example, you can use a utility bill, insurance documents, phone bill or bank statement to confirm your mailing address.
▪ Complete the online Real ID application, a process that typically takes less than 10 minutes. You’ll need your name, address, birth date and Social Security number.
▪ To complete the process, visit a California DMV office. Bring your documents establishing your identity and residence, plus your Real ID application code, and pay a $35 fee.
To avoid long lines, you can reserve an appointment online ahead of time.
Can I make an appointment at DMV ahead of Real ID deadline?
The DMV said it’s temporarily extending its hours of operation at select locations to offer more in-person appointments for Real ID applicants.
Starting April 14, doors began opening an hour early at a total of 18 DMV locations in California, according to an agency news release.
At these offices, all appointments from 7 to 8 a.m. Monday through Friday will be reserved for Real ID applicants.
“These additional appointments will make it easier than ever to obtain a REAL ID,” Gordon said.
The extended hours will be available through Tuesday, June 27.
Additionally, 11 DMV locations across the state will open an extra day to accommodate those applying for Real IDs.
These offices will be open on Saturday, May 3, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., to “provide REAL ID processing by appointment only,” the DMV said, and “will not provide other DMV services.”
DMV locations are usually open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and typically closed on weekends and holidays.
According to the DMV, in-person appointments should only take around 15 minutes.
Do I have to get a California Real ID?
Getting a California Real ID driver’s license or identification card is “optional,” according to the DMV’s website.
You only need a Real ID if you plan on using your driver’s license or identification card to board domestic flights within the United States or to enter secure federal facilities after Wednesday, May 7.
“If you want to continue to use a U.S. passport, U.S. passport card, military ID, enhanced driver’s license, or other federally accepted identification to do those things, you do not need to get a Real ID,” the DMV said.
As of April 14, more than 19 million Californians had received their Real IDs, which represents about 55% of all issued cards, a DMV spokesperson told The Sacramento Bee.
More than 15 million Californians do not have a Real ID card yet, according to DMV data.
Due to high demand ahead of the May deadline, the DMV recommends that residents with passports hold off on applying for a Real ID for now.
“Californians who do not have a Real ID but already hold a valid passport can comfortably wait to convert to a Real ID when their driver’s license is due for renewal,” the DMV advised.
How can I tell if I have a Real ID? What does it look like?
You can check if you have a California Real ID by looking at the top right corner of your California driver’s license.
If it’s a Real ID, there will be a golden bear with a white star imprinted on its backside.
“The presence of this image will indicate that the credential is Real ID-compliant,” the U.S. Transportation Security Administration said in a February news release.
This story was originally published May 1, 2025 at 5:00 AM with the headline "Still need a California Real ID? Why the DMV is telling some people not to apply."
