Overview

• DMVs across the U.S. are extending hours and adding appointments to accommodate last-minute applicants ahead of the May 7 REAL ID enforcement deadline.
• Approximately 81% of travelers already carry compliant identification, but severe appointment shortages persist in states like New Jersey, causing frustration among residents.
• REAL IDs will be required for domestic flights, access to federal buildings, military bases, and nuclear facilities, with valid passports and other approved IDs accepted as alternatives.
• The REAL ID Act, passed in 2005 in response to 9/11, has faced numerous delays in implementation, but officials now emphasize the deadline is final.
• Critics, including Representative Thomas Massie, argue the mandate infringes on personal freedoms, while federal agencies assert it enhances national security and fraud prevention.