DMV notes 8.6M New Yorkers have obtained REAL IDs

ALBANY | One year after the federal government began requiring REAL IDs for domestic flights, more than half of eligible New Yorkers have obtained one. May 7 marks one year since REAL ID-compliant documents were required to fly within the United States. More than 8.6 million New Yorkers now have theirs, including 4.6 million Enhanced licenses and almost 4 million REAL ID driver licenses. "New Yorkers are ahead of the curve in getting their REAL ID so they are ready to fly this summer," said Acting DMV Commissioner Christian Jackstadt. "We are happy that millions of New Yorkers have visited a DMV to get their REAL ID while millions of others are prepared with a U.S. Passport. If you haven't already obtained one, we are happy to help you and have taken steps to make your DMV visit easy and successful. Our website offers a document guide and you can pre-screen your documents in many locations, so you can come to the office fully prepared with all the information and paperwork you need." Passed by Congress in 2005, the federal REAL ID Act applies to all 50 states. It establishes minimum security standards for state-issued driver licenses, permits and ID cards. It also requires customers to bring certain documents to the DMV to prove who they are and to have a new photograph taken before their REAL ID can be issued. New York offers two types of licenses that comply with the law: a REAL ID and an Enhanced License, Permit or Non-Driver ID. A REAL ID costs the same as a standard license; an Enhanced ID costs $30 more and can also be used as identification when returning to the United States by land or sea from Canada, Mexico and some countries in the Caribbean. A passport is also acceptable as a REAL ID-compliant document. More than 12 million New Yorkers have a passport. Upgrading your license requires a visit to a DMV office with additional proofs and the taking of a new photo. DMV offices strongly encourage customers to make a reservation, which can be done online. Before coming to an office, customers should check the DMV's document guide, which enables people to see what proof they need to bring and print a checklist. DMV also offers an online application pre-screening process to allow your documents to be reviewed before you bring them in to be certain you have all you need. DMV also advises customers on its website on how avoid the top five most common mistakes people make when seeking to get a REAL ID. One of the important reminders is to provide documentation if your name has changed. For more information about READ ID and Enhanced Driver Licenses, visit Enhanced or REAL ID and watch DMV's REAL ID instructional video on YouTube.

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DMV notes 8.6M New Yorkers have obtained REAL IDs

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