NEW YORK (PIX11) – The New York State Department of Motor Vehicles is calling on residents to update their licenses and learner’s permits before it’s too late.
Starting May 7, anyone going through an airport to fly domestically will need to have a REAL ID or another form of compliant identification such as an Enhanced ID or Passport.
“We do not yet know how the REAL ID Act will be enforced on May 7, so the best way to ensure smooth travel and avoid delays is to get to the DMV and upgrade your ID right away,” said DMV Commissioner Mark J.F. Schroeder.
New Yorkers are encouraged to get a REAL ID or Enhanced ID as soon as possible, even if their license, permit or non-driver ID is not yet up for renewal.
To get a REAL ID or an Enhanced ID residents must visit a DMV office in person with documents that prove who they are. Applicants will also have to get a new picture taken.
A document guide and an application pre-screening process can be found on the DMV’s website. Many DMV offices also encourage customers to make a reservation online.
The change to using REAL ID’s for domestic flights comes after Congress passed the REAL ID Act in 2005. It establishes minimum security standards for state-issued driver's licenses, permits and ID cards.
Dominique Jack is a digital content producer from Brooklyn with more than five years of experience covering news. She joined PIX11 in 2024. More of her work can be found here.
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