Press Release - 05-24-2019

DMV News

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, May 24, 2019

Contact: 
Lisa Koumjian
[email protected]

Tim O’Brien
[email protected]

DMV ENCOURAGES CUSTOMERS TO GET A REAL ID AS SUMMER TRAVEL SEASON BEGINS

Less Than 500 Days Until Travelers Flying in the US Will Be Required to Carry REAL ID-Compliant Identification

REAL IDs Available at DMV Offices Statewide

With Memorial Day weekend kicking off the summer travel season, the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) reminded New Yorkers to make sure they are prepared for future travel. According to the federal REAL ID Act, starting October 1, 2020, a REAL ID-compliant document such as a REAL ID, Enhanced Driver License (EDL) or a U.S. Passport will be needed to fly within the United States. REAL ID licenses and non-driver identification cards are available now at DMV offices statewide.

“There are less than 500 days until the REAL ID law takes effect,” said Acting DMV Commissioner Mark J.F. Schroeder. “That may seem like a long time, but it will go quickly. We urge New Yorkers to get one today while travel is top of mind, so their future travel plans are not impacted.”

A trip to a DMV office is required to get a REAL ID. The DMV strongly recommends customers use its online document guide before coming to an office to make sure they are prepared and do not need to return for a second trip. The document guide produces a checklist of the documents that customers need to bring to successfully complete their visit. The checklist is individualized for each customer. For example, if a customer has misplaced their Social Security card or their name has changed due to marriage or divorce, the document guide will help them determine what, if any, additional documents they need when applying for a REAL ID.

The DMV first offered the REAL ID in 2017. The cost to get one is the same as getting a standard New York State license or non-driver ID, which are now marked Not for Federal Purposes.

The Enhanced Driver License, which has been available to New Yorkers since 2008, also is acceptable for federal REAL ID purposes. An EDL costs an additional $30 and can be used as identification at land and sea borders when returning to the United States from Canada, Mexico and some countries in the Caribbean.

Currently, REAL ID-compliant identification is required to enter certain federal buildings and military bases.

Customers can learn more about REAL ID on the DMV’s website.

For more information about DMV, visit dmv.ny.gov, or follow the DMV on Facebook  and Twitter.

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