Department of Motor Vehicles

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   

Wednesday, October 26, 2022   

 DMV TOURS NEW YORK AIRPORTS TO ENCOURAGE TRAVELERS TO GET REAL ID AS IMPLEMENTATION DATE APPROACHES

REAL ID or Other Compliant Identification Will Be Required to Fly Beginning May 2023

TSA, County Clerks join events at Binghamton, Elmira and Syracuse airports

The New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) visited three airports this week to inform travelers about the upcoming deadline to get a REAL ID to fly within the United States.

DMV Commissioner Mark J.F. Schroeder was joined by officials from the U.S. Transportation Security Administration, the airports and local county clerks who run DMV offices in their counties. The events were held Tuesday, October 25, at Greater Binghamton Airport and at Elmira Corning Regional Airport and on Wednesday, October 26, at Syracuse Hancock International Airport.

Starting May 3, 2023, passengers taking domestic flights will need either a passport or a REAL ID-compliant document to fly. A standard license will no longer be accepted under federal law.

“We do not want to see anyone unable to board a plane next May because they do not have the right identification,” Commissioner Schroeder said. “We are traveling to airports throughout New York State to remind customers of the REAL ID deadline  and to let them know they can get one today. We appreciate our partners at the TSA, at the airports and with state and county officials who share our goal of enabling all New Yorkers to get a REAL ID in one convenient visit to DMV offices throughout our state.”

The federal law requires those who are applying for a REAL ID to do so in person.  To make the process as easy for New Yorkers as possible, DMV customers can now get their application for a REAL ID or Enhanced ID digitally pre-screened prior to visiting the DMV. Customers who take advantage of this option will know whether they have all the required paperwork and verification documents they need to successfully complete their transaction, before ever going to a DMV office and will save time when they get there.

This new pre-screen option is available to customers who complete their transaction at a DMV office in New York City, on Long Island, or in Westchester, Albany, Rockland and Onondaga counties. Additional offices throughout the state will also be offering the service starting this fall.

New Yorkers can get their REAL ID or Enhanced ID applications pre-screened by visiting the DMV website. Before beginning the process, we recommend that customers complete the DMV Document Guide to find out what they will need to have handy and ready to upload during the pre-screening process. Once they know what they need, customers should gather the required documents listed on the document guide checklist.

After submitting an application for pre-screening, customers will receive an email with instructions to fix any errors and next steps. Once an application is approved, we will alert the customer to schedule their in-person visit at a participating DMV location on a date and time that is convenient for them.

An Enhanced ID is acceptable for REAL ID purposes and can also be used instead of a passport to return to the US by land or sea from Canada, Mexico and some countries in the Caribbean.

Many DMV offices require customers to make a reservation, which customers can do online at dmv.ny.gov/offices/.

DMV has issued guidance to help customers avoid the top 5 most common mistakes people make when getting a REAL ID. One of the important reminders is to provide documentation if your name has changed.

For more information about REAL ID and Enhanced Driver Licenses, visit dmv.ny.gov/REALID and watch the DMV’s REALID informational videos on YouTube.

To learn more about the NYS DMV, visit dmv.ny.gov, or follow the DMV conversation online at Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

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