As the May 7 deadline approaches for the implementation of the REAL ID requirement for domestic air travel, many New Jersey residents are scrambling to secure their identification. Starting on that date, only REAL ID-compliant licenses will be accepted for boarding flights, leaving those without the necessary documentation at risk of being turned away at the airport.
According to the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC), they are currently witnessing an unprecedented surge in demand for REAL IDs. Acting NJMVC Chief Administrator Latrecia Littles-Floyd stated, “Anticipating the recent increase in demand... we have made many additional accommodations to service as many customers with REAL ID as possible.” However, the reality is that many residents are struggling to find available appointments.
The MVC has announced an emergency issuance program specifically for those who need to fly within 14 days due to a life-or-death emergency. This program is limited to individuals who do not already possess a REAL ID or another TSA-approved form of identification, such as a passport. Emergency appointments will only be held at the NJMVC’s Trenton Regional Center and must be scheduled individually.
To qualify for this emergency service, customers must submit documentation of their emergency and comply with REAL ID requirements, which include providing two proofs of residential address, one verifiable Social Security number, and identity documents that total six REAL ID points. An $80 shipping fee will also apply to expedite delivery of the REAL ID within a few business days.
As of now, the MVC is creating over 3,000 appointments per day, but those slots fill up quickly, leaving many residents frustrated. Joanne Rajoppi, Union County Clerk, noted, “I’ve actually had to deploy staff and expand staff into my passport office. We are open on Saturdays, which is a big day for us.” She also encouraged residents to consider applying for Passcards if they cannot obtain a REAL ID before the deadline. Passcards, which are license-sized U.S. passport cards, cost $65 and are valid for ten years, compared to the four years for a REAL ID in New Jersey.
For those still seeking a REAL ID, the situation appears grim. The MVC’s appointment scheduling system shows no available appointments for the next 90 days, meaning anyone trying to secure a REAL ID in the two weeks leading up to the deadline will likely be out of luck. As it stands, residents who do not already have a REAL ID or an appointment will have to rely on their standard driver’s licenses, which will not be accepted for air travel after May 7.
The REAL ID is a federally approved driver’s license that meets enhanced security standards established following the September 11 attacks. New Jersey began rolling out these new licenses in 2019, but the deadline has been postponed multiple times due to the COVID-19 pandemic. A REAL ID costs $35, while a standard license costs $24.
For those who find themselves without a REAL ID by the deadline, there are still options for air travel. Residents can fly with alternative forms of identification, the most common being a U.S. passport. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) provides a full list of accepted documents on its website.
As the May 7 deadline draws nearer, DMVs across the U.S. are ramping up efforts to accommodate the influx of customers seeking REAL IDs. Some states have extended their DMV hours or set aside special appointment times to meet the growing demand. In Massachusetts, for example, the Registry of Motor Vehicles has started offering walk-in appointments for REAL ID seekers at all locations.
In California, 18 DMV locations are opening an hour early at 7 a.m. every day except Wednesdays to assist customers. Oklahoma has also extended its ID center hours until 8 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays for the remainder of 2025. Meanwhile, Pennsylvania has organized “REAL ID Days” at various DMV locations, allowing customers to process their applications and issue IDs on the spot.
However, despite these efforts, many residents are still struggling to secure appointments. Long lines and hours-long waits have been reported at DMVs from Illinois to Tennessee, with some states experiencing overwhelming demand. In Florida, reports have surfaced about a network of appointment resellers who are booking hundreds of DMV appointments and selling them to residents at inflated prices.
For residents unsure whether they have a REAL ID, the identification cards feature a gold or black star symbol in the upper corner, indicating compliance with federal standards. Those with standard licenses will see a message stating “NOT FOR ‘REAL ID’ PURPOSES” in that same location.
As the deadline looms, officials are urging residents to act quickly to secure their REAL IDs. The Department of Homeland Security estimates that by the May 2025 deadline, between 61% and 66% of ID holders will have transitioned to REAL IDs. However, for those in states where the rollout has been optional, the urgency is palpable as many scramble to upgrade their identification.
In New Jersey, the MVC continues to assess its operations each week, looking to add as many appointments for REAL ID as possible. Jim Hooker, a spokesperson for the MVC, confirmed that approximately 3,500 new appointments are added each morning, along with an additional 4,600 appointments each Thursday through the “REAL ID Thursday” program. Since the start of this initiative, over 43,000 appointments have been added.
The clock is ticking for residents who have yet to secure their REAL IDs. With only a few weeks left before the May 7 deadline, those who plan to travel should prioritize obtaining their identification to avoid potential travel disruptions.
