topic Re: REAL LICENSE in Community Chat

REAL LICENSE

eddyandme — Tue, 08 May 2018 10:55:19 GMT

Has anybody gotten their Real License? If so, how is it in your state?

In Massachusetts, RMV lines are 3-4hours! However, we can go to AAA (members only). I went yesterday and must've hit it right - only took one hour!

Anyways, much ire and frustration here in MA: RMV first shut down to install new computer system; when opened again, it crashed. Then after that system was back up again the national system failed. Also, they're not clear as to what identifications will be accepted and their forms keep changing. Guess that's what results whenever inept despots are in charge. Also, hiring because of 'who ya know' doesn't always fare well, imho.

Oh! in this state it'll take as long to obtain a Standard License as the transaction can not longer be completed online as of 3/26.

Re: REAL LICENSE

jackthebear — Tue, 08 May 2018 10:58:39 GMT

that's what it is like in NJ

we are used to it

Re: REAL LICENSE

eddyandme — Tue, 08 May 2018 11:03:12 GMT

@jackthebear wrote:
that's what it is like in NJ

we are used to it

Yeah, @jackthebear! Got relatives in Jersey and it seems we kinda run the same with the registry, taxes, etc., sadly!

Re: REAL LICENSE

Pooky1 — Tue, 08 May 2018 11:03:57 GMT

here in ri we can renew drivers licence on cumputer. i think other states do it to. we go on dmv . com. good luck.

Re: REAL LICENSE

jackthebear — Tue, 08 May 2018 11:06:30 GMT

@Pooky1 wrote:
here in ri we can renew drivers licence on cumputer. i think other states do it to. we go on dmv . com. good luck.

I was able to renew via mail 3x but there must be a limit or I aged out,

but the process was easy AFA the documents, they just don't have enough people to do the job, and then there are the idiots who don't have all the right stuff

ugh but what are you going to do?

Re: REAL LICENSE

Eileen in Virginia — Tue, 08 May 2018 11:15:18 GMT

@Pooky1

We can renew online in VA, too. I’ve renewed online the last 2 times. There are a lot of DMV offices in Northern Virginia and some of them aren’t too bad (1 hour processing times). If we need to renew in person, it helps that we’ll be able to go while most folks are working since we’re retired. 😉

Re: REAL LICENSE

CalminHeart — Tue, 08 May 2018 11:16:22 GMT

I got my 'real' license 6 years ago. It wasn't difficult. All I had to do was take my SS card, a piece of mail with my address, and birth certificate. The only time it helped was when I was flying. I heard (not sure if true) that we'll all eventually have to get one.

The worst part is having to go to DOT. I try to go at an odd time so it's not wal to wall people.

Re: REAL LICENSE

nyc1 — Tue, 08 May 2018 11:17:11 GMT

Illinois - They sent renewals in the mail for several of mine, then I had to go in person (about 1-1/2 hours), and the last one they did a renewal by mail.

When you go down, you wait on line to get your eyes tested, then you wait to have your picture taken, then you wait to get your actual license. There are too few places where you can go, and none of them are very convenient. Shameful.

Re: REAL LICENSE

ScrapHappy — Tue, 08 May 2018 11:23:51 GMT

I'm from NJ but haven't lived there in almost 20 years. I don't know if anything has changed in NJ, but when I lived there everything had to be done at the DMV and was usually there a couple of hours. I moved to California. Had to re-test to get license but what I did like about California is that you can make appointments on line which eliminated long waits. As long as you had an appointment, they took you right away. When it came time for license renewal, you can do it on line or by mail only if you didn't have to retake a picture, then you'd have to go to DMV but again, you can make an appointment. I live in Georgia now. Didn't have to take test again for my license here. They have a computer system which you put in most of your info. If you didn't do that, you have to go into the lines and wait but from what I saw (at least on that day) it wasn't too bad. If you did enter your info prior to going, you're in and out.

Re: REAL LICENSE

jackthebear — Tue, 08 May 2018 11:29:46 GMT

@ScrapHappy wrote:
I'm from NJ but haven't lived there in almost 20 years. I don't know if anything has changed in NJ, but when I lived there everything had to be done at the DMV and was usually there a couple of hours. I moved to California. Had to re-test to get license but what I did like about California is that you can make appointments on line which eliminated long waits. As long as you had an appointment, they took you right away. When it came time for license renewal, you can do it on line or by mail only if you didn't have to retake a picture, then you'd have to go to DMV but again, you can make an appointment. I live in Georgia now. Didn't have to take test again for my license here. They have a computer system which you put in most of your info. If you didn't do that, you have to go into the lines and wait but from what I saw (at least on that day) it wasn't too bad. If you did enter your info prior to going, you're in and out.

dont move back!!!!

Re: REAL LICENSE

151949 — Tue, 08 May 2018 11:30:58 GMT

I couldn't figure out what you were writing about , then finally realized it was the REAL ID license.Using a bunch of initials instead of words does not make a post clear.

When we moved to Florida 8 years ago we had to go to the county offices to get cars registered , register to vote, apply for homestead status and get drivers license. They are particularly strict about the REAL ID license in Fl. and you must take your birth certificate, marriage certificate, if you are divorced - the divorce papers, or a widow - his death certificate.In other words you must be able to trace your name changes throughout your life with documents.The lady in front of us was divorced several times, so she really bogged the process down. I had both my marriage certificates and first husband's death certificate.Plus my passport & birth certificate & SS card.Mine only took a few min.We haven't been here long enough to have to renew yet.

Re: REAL LICENSE

CelticCrafter — Tue, 08 May 2018 11:38:32 GMT

@jackthebear wrote:
@Pooky1 wrote:
here in ri we can renew drivers licence on cumputer. i think other states do it to. we go on dmv . com. good luck.
I was able to renew via mail 3x but there must be a limit or I aged out,

but the process was easy AFA the documents, they just don't have enough people to do the job, and then there are the idiots who don't have all the right stuff
ugh but what are you going to do?

@jackthebear - I was able to renew last time through the mail - I should be getting the stuff very soon for the next renewal, so it will be interesting to see if I can do it by mail or will I have to gather up the documents and do it in person.

My daughter was only able to do it once through the mail, the next one required the dreaded trip.

Re: REAL LICENSE

AuntG — Tue, 08 May 2018 11:39:19 GMT

If you have the right documentation, it takes on 45 minutes at the small DMV office by me to get a REAL ID license.

Re: REAL LICENSE

jackthebear — Tue, 08 May 2018 11:40:40 GMT

@151949 wrote:
I couldn't figure out what you were writing about , then finally realized it was the REAL ID license.Using a bunch of initials instead of words does not make a post clear.
When we moved to Florida 8 years ago we had to go to the county offices to get cars registered , register to vote, apply for homestead status and get drivers license. They are particularly strict about the REAL ID license in Fl. and you must take your birth certificate, marriage certificate, if you are divorced - the divorce papers, or a widow - his death certificate.In other words you must be able to trace your name changes throughout your life with documents.The lady in front of us was divorced several times, so she really bogged the process down. I had both my marriage certificates and first husband's death certificate.Plus my passport & birth certificate & SS card.Mine only took a few min.We haven't been here long enough to have to renew yet.

Living in NJ

I sort of knew what she was talking about,

even when one has produced all the documentation to get a license, for renewals, one still has to go prepared, AGAIN with same

although last year I just showed my license and application did not have show anything else

Re: REAL LICENSE

eddyandme — Tue, 08 May 2018 11:41:12 GMT

In MA, if renewing online, the number and date signed are required on the bc. SS card has to be a certain type - paper only. And, after the March date, though you think you can renew - standard license - online, you can't: you get a confirmation # and must bring in bc. The benefit of completing form online is that it's already in the system so no clerk needs to input the info.

If going to rmv, you need to print out the renewal application form as they have a line for those with that completed form which go "faster". Only one line at AAA. And, if you don't have a working printer (me!) you can't print it out elsewhere for the phone number must be the same! Also, once you get the confirmation #, you cannot redo it again to access a printer. I stopped by the Sr.Ctr to get a paper app to bring with me. Fortunately. it was not required. But, AAA gave me additional forms to drop off at the Sr. Ctr. 'cause although they have a liason with the rmv, the apps they had were outdated - the apps keep changing I was told.

It takes 21min for the info to be processed thru the nat'l system, plus you have to do the eye test and get pic. So, the quickest time per applicant is about 30min! And you get the lic in 1.5 wks.

By 2020, the real license will be required or a current passport to access any federal bldg (post office!?!). And, even it your standard lic is in effect and you choose to switch to real same paperwork will b required (hopefully they'll finally settle on requirements) and it'll cost $25 for the card (tht's over and above the $50 already paid when you got your license.

Imho, it &ucks!

Re: REAL LICENSE

Bri63 — Tue, 08 May 2018 11:42:52 GMT

In Illinois, when you go to renew your license, you bring your documents and get a temporary license. They mail your license to your home. It takes about two weeks.

The temp license is paper and the actual license is plastic.

I think it's risky sending the license through the mail. Anything can happen to it.

Re: REAL LICENSE

OKPrincess — Tue, 08 May 2018 11:42:52 GMT

In OK the deadline is October. Other than the deadline, I don’t know any details.

Re: REAL LICENSE

jackthebear — Tue, 08 May 2018 11:43:24 GMT

@CelticCrafter wrote:
@jackthebear wrote:
@Pooky1 wrote:
here in ri we can renew drivers licence on cumputer. i think other states do it to. we go on dmv . com. good luck.
I was able to renew via mail 3x but there must be a limit or I aged out,

but the process was easy AFA the documents, they just don't have enough people to do the job, and then there are the idiots who don't have all the right stuff
ugh but what are you going to do?
@jackthebear - I was able to renew last time through the mail - I should be getting the stuff very soon for the next renewal, so it will be interesting to see if I can do it by mail or will I have to gather up the documents and do it in person.
My daughter was only able to do it once through the mail, the next one required the dreaded trip.

NJ?

maybe they pick randomly

Re: REAL LICENSE

jackthebear — Tue, 08 May 2018 11:46:00 GMT

@OKPrincess wrote:
In OK the deadline is October. Other than the deadline, I don’t know any details.

renew your license before October? :-)

Re: REAL LICENSE

FrostyBabe1 — Tue, 08 May 2018 12:01:29 GMT

Yes, my Michigan DL complies with the Federal Real ID requirements. I made an appointment on our Secretary of State website and the whole thing took about 5 minutes. The biggest hassle was convincing the clerk that was waiting on me that a US Passport CARD is a valid, government issued ID that proves I'm a US citizen and satisfies the proof of citizenship/legal residency requirement. She had to go get a supervisor, who quickly pulled out a sheet showing her that I was correct. I have the same problem with the TSA on a fairly regular basis.

This whole thread is a bit confusing. It seems that the OP is inquiring about obtaining a license that meets the Federal Real ID requirements, but the bulk of the responses are about merely renewing a current license, NOT obtaining the upgraded ID.