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My CA driver license expires this year. Will my renewal automatically qualify as a "Real ID"?

Muse

Muse

Lifer
Their website is anything but clear on this. Apply for renewal is one thing, apply for Real ID is another. What BS.
 
Not unless your old license already has it to the best of my knowledge.


Real-ID guide PDF - English

Check the official list of required documents at ct.gov/dmv/REALID and gather your documents.

In most cases, you simply need your:
• U.S. Passport or U.S. birth certificate, and
• Social Security card, and
• Two (2) pieces of mail (from 2 different sources dated within 90 days) to prove you live in Connecticut [Insert state of res].

(CT.Gov)
 
Captante said:
Not unless your old license already has it to the best of my knowledge.
Click to expand...
But, they are supposed to be issuing drivers licenses that qualify as real id. It's crazy, their website. They also changed it to make it really frustrating to register your car online.
 
Muse said:
But, they are supposed to be issuing drivers licenses that qualify as real id. It's crazy, their website.
Click to expand...


It's not complicated at all really... took me like an extra 5 minutes rounding up the required paperwork.

Worst-case you can get a copy of your birth certificate for cheap provided you know what state you were born in and a copy of your SS card costs nothing. (both of which you really should have on-hand anyway!)

As for the DMV website in CA I'm afraid you're on your own there! 😉
 
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The whole thing is a mess that's been fought in court and delayed multiple times. It should never have been forced on any one. I have a regular OL. I don't intend to ever fly again nor enter a military base. Most other Federal offices do not require it.

Why should I be forced to pay a much higher fee?

As far as I know right now, I'll be able to renew my regular one at least one more time, for possibly 8 years, maybe only 6.

Beyond that, I hope to be dead.
 
Lost_in_the_HTTP said:
Why should I be forced to pay a much higher fee?
Click to expand...


I have no experience getting a Real-ID in CA but the license renewal fee was the same with or without the extra verification in CT far as I recall.

Also nobody is being forced to get real-ID .... your drivers license will however no longer be accepted as federal ID/proof of identity.


EDIT: Confirmed per the LA Times:

Do I need a Real ID to drive?

No. That has not changed. If you have a regular driver’s license and it’s current you are fine to drive. Just don’t try to board a domestic flight using only that starting Oct. 1 once the law finally takes effect.

How much does it cost?

The California Department of Motor Vehicles charges $38 for a Real ID or a regular license.

Can I get a Real ID identification card?

Yes. That costs $33. (for non-drivers)
 
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herm0016 said:
CO just makes all the new DLs that qualify real id's.
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Same here in MA, happened about 3 years ago I think. Whenever it was it was less than a year after I got my DL renewed and I would have to pay the full fee to get it redone as a real ID so I never bothered. I have a valid passport so I'll use that for domestic air travel if need be. Of course with the way the TSA keeps delaying that I may well have my DL renewed again first.
 
You'll need realid to get on military bases? That could be a problem. I have no intention of flying, and if it came up, I'd have dealt with it then. Every once in awhile, I need to go on military bases though. What a bunch of fucking bullshit. How about I just stop paying taxes since they can't prove who I am via standard id? Bet they know exactly who I am then...
 
I'm not former military, but I have to work on base every so often. It isn't frequent, but it comes up every so often, and usually without enough notice to deal with ID issues.
 
lxskllr said:
You'll need realid to get on military bases? That could be a problem. I have no intention of flying, and if it came up, I'd have dealt with it then. Every once in awhile, I need to go on military bases though.
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Just did a quick search. One thing i read was to just call the base you might need to go to & ask what forms of ID they take. Looks like maybe not all bases require RealID... yet.
 
I don't remember doing anything special to get a Real ID last time I renewed in Nebraska a decade ago, but it was a Real ID.
Was kind of an unwelcome surprise when I got my Washington ID and it wasn't a Real ID. So I just got an "Enhanced driver's license" when I got my name changed, brought in the required documentation.
 
Not sure what is complicated about it. If you do not currently have a Real ID, you need to specifically apply for one by clicking on the link that says "Apply for a RealID", otherwise you get a regular DL which will state "Federal Limits Apply" on it.

My company had the DMV come to our office in 2019 to allow everyone to apply for one. Was very simple, just show my passport and 2 bill printouts with my current address on it.
 
herm0016 said:
CO just makes all the new DLs that qualify real id's.
Click to expand...
I think it's supposed to be that way in CA, but their website does not clearly indicate that and AFAIK doesn't hint that. On top of this they have a long list of FAQ's and the question I posed in the OP and title of this thread is not one of them!!! They are outdoing themselves in being user unfriendly and seeing as it's the CA DMV, that is very very hard to do. In recent years the difficulty they have presented to the state's residents is the stuff of legend.
 
quikah said:
Not sure what is complicated about it. If you do not currently have a Real ID, you need to specifically apply for one by clicking on the link that says "Apply for a RealID", otherwise you get a regular DL which will state "Federal Limits Apply" on it.

My company had the DMV come to our office in 2019 to allow everyone to apply for one. Was very simple, just show my passport and 2 bill printouts with my current address on it.
Click to expand...
OK, so I infer that I apply for a Real ID and in addition apply to renew my decades old CA DL??? But I saw info online TODAY indicating that a year ago or so (???) they declared that during the pandemic DLs would now be Real IDs too. Not at the DMV website, though, that's not where I saw that. Maybe that's just for new DLs, not renewals. 🙄
 
Muse said:
But, they are supposed to be issuing driver's licenses that qualify as real IDs. It's crazy, their website.
Click to expand...

A real ID DL is a different format than a regular ID, it contains some info that is picked up similar to a credit card that is tapped to pay.
 
Muse said:
OK, so I infer that I apply for a Real ID and in addition apply to renew my decades old CA DL??? But I saw info online TODAY indicating that a year ago or so (???) they declared that during the pandemic DLs would now be Real IDs too. Not at the DMV website, though, that's not where I saw that. Maybe that's just for new DLs, not renewals. 🙄
Click to expand...

My wife renewed her DL a couple months ago (California), i seem to recall there was an option to apply for a Real ID during the renewal process. Didn't bother with it, she will use her passport for travel. Go through the start of the process on the website and see what options they give you.
 
Muse said:
Yah but is it also a DL? Also, you gotta go into the office and if like a couple years ago WAIT!!!
Click to expand...

I told you it sounded EASY..... I said NOTHING about it being fun! 😛

Provided you have the documents required, scan them (or take pics with your phone) and upload them to the CA DMV using their website. They generate a code unique to you, you either print it out or save it on your phone ONLY THEN do you schlepp on over to the Monkey-Pox incubater .... ERM ... I MEAN DMV!!!

I would walk you through the entire process but since I don't live in CA I'm not actually making an account.... it can't be too difficult though or nobody would ever get it done.

😉
 
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Captante said:
I told you it sounded EASY..... I said NOTHING about it being fun! 😛

Provided you have the documents required, scan them (or take pics with your phone) and upload them to the CA DMV using their website. They generate a code unique to you, you either print it out or save it on your phone ONLY THEN do you schlepp on over to the Monkey-Pox incubater .... ERM ... I MEAN DMV!!!

I would walk you through the entire process but since I don't live in CA I'm not actually making an account.... it can't be too difficult though or nobody would ever get it done.

😉
Click to expand...
Oh, I WILL do it. I'm a bit stressed ATM. Nasty spill 2 months ago in the street skating 10+ MPH when my left skate broke in two pieces. Finger sprain is no joke, constant variable pain.
 
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