nhcycling
Recycles dryer sheets
I just use my passport
A few years ago I renewed my driver's license, and at that time you could choose whether or not it would be a "Real ID" type of license. I think it cost $5 more for that. Since apparently there was no requirement to have a "Real ID" in order to fly at that time, I went for the regular license. I guess that in 2023, when my present license expires, I will have to get the "Real ID" type of license.
As a result of a class action lawsuit, my state now has a two tier system of 1) Real ID and 2) Driving Authorization Card (DAC). The DAC was implemented for those who cannot or do not want to provide the Real ID documentation e.g., homeless, elderly, immigrants. There are a number of US citizens in my state who were born at home (I know several who are just a few years older than me), live in depressed rural areas, and/or work odd jobs or clean houses. I'm sure that coming up with a birth certificate, SS card, pay stub, etc. would be difficult. And I doubt they fly very often if at all.
I didn't even know some states were trying to force the Real ID standard for all DLs. NC never did that, and has a dual standard. I thought that was the case in all states. Didn't know NM went nuke on it.
So without the higher standard, you just won't get the gold star, and someday if you want to fly domestic, you'll have to bring your passport. I don't want to have to bring my passport for domestic issues.
You may be right that all states have a dual standard. I tried to google this but could not obtain this info and I may have misunderstood the lawsuit in my state. The lawsuit concerned our MVD attempting to require a SS card or other documentation for the non-Real ID similar to a Real ID.
I didn't even know some states were trying to force the Real ID standard for all DLs. NC never did that, and has a dual standard. I thought that was the case in all states. Didn't know NM went nuke on it.
So without the higher standard, you just won't get the gold star, and someday if you want to fly domestic, you'll have to bring your passport. I don't want to have to bring my passport for domestic issues.
Made sure to get mine last year. My wife still has 3 years to go on her current license. We always bring passports with us if traveling outside US so not a big deal.
They have been delaying the implementation of this for years (almost decades). I don't know why there has been so much resistance. Supposedly we have a real deadline now. I got my Real ID drivers license last year. After all the BS I said "this looks just like my old license" and they pointed out the only difference is the gold star. I could of just gone to Sunday school and gotten a gold star to stick on the license.
They have been delaying the implementation of this for years (almost decades). I don't know why there has been so much resistance. Supposedly we have a real deadline now. I got my Real ID drivers license last year. After all the BS I said "this looks just like my old license" and they pointed out the only difference is the gold star. I could of just gone to Sunday school and gotten a gold star to stick on the license.
Got mine last year.
I renewed my DL online without RealID because for the latter I'd have had to go to the DMV and that's a pain and a half. When I travel I'll use my passport.