When I got my new license last year, that it wasn't the new RealID, same thing, for that very reason.

Last edited Wed Feb 5, 2025, 12:11 PM - Edit history (1)

beginning May 7th. I'm going to go ahead and get one.

It is being delayed again, but they may hassle people without it.

“ On May 7, 2025, U.S. travelers must be REAL ID compliant to board domestic flights and access certain federal facilities.”

Unless you plan to carry a passport.

If they were referring to Real ID, thanks for the driver's license/passport connection. That is good to know.

Real ID won't just be needed for domestic flights -- it will also be required for entry into some municipal buildings, at least in my state.

Another option is to get a more portable version of your passport on card form. Works like a passport,fits into your wallet like a driver's license.

Edited to add info link:
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/need-passport/card.html

the latest one is unused, but now has a plastic page component that must hold a lot of personal data.

No. It doesn't link the two. They are independent documents, each of which can be used as ID for the purposes of flying.

I'm not sure it matters.

My partner was dead set against a real id but once they learned that my state already takes the biometric picture, and it was just linking it with the passport, they went along with it. I haven't done it yet.

Anyone renewing a driver's license can get a REAL ID added for free and they are good to travel anywhere within the US. You never know when you might need to fly on short notice to see family members or attend a funeral.

Here in NY it is an Enhanced Driver's Licence, which is good for travel in North America or at least our neighbors and the Caribbean. https://dmv.ny.gov/driver-license/enhanced-or-real-id

I wouldn’t worry about it

Elon's the Government now. He knows All.

I am not sure if I will get the real id driver's license yet when I renew mine. I can use the passport card if needed and I don't fly anymore anywhere.

Absolutely Disgusting!!! Who invited him?

Oh, never mind.

It doesn't link to your passport, they just verify your passport and/or birth certificate to insure you are a US citizen. I wouldn't be able to do my job easily without the real id on my DL. Besides, all info on you is in a data base somewhere anyway.

Passport card is good for 10 years but the Real ID was easy to get when I renewed my picture license. Might as well have both.