“I don’t actually like to call it a deadline. It’s an enforcement date. So if you’re not going to be on a plane anytime soon, you don’t need a REAL ID,” said Oregon Department of Motor Vehicles spokesperson Chris Crabb.
Crabb mentions that you will still be able to obtain a REAL ID following the May 7 deadline, which is also referred to as the enforcement date. Additionally, he clarifies that obtaining a REAL ID isn’t necessary unless you intend to fly, go to a federal facility, or visit a military base.
However, to pass through any Transportation Security Administration checkpoint, you’ll require a REAL ID.
The TSA currently plans to assist individuals without a REAL ID; however, this may lead to additional security checks which can cause delays and potentially result in passengers missing their flights.
Individuals may also use a passport, military ID, or tribal ID to pass through TSA screening.
However, obtaining a REAL ID might take up to three weeks to be delivered via mail, and the Temporary Paper ID will not be accepted by TSA.
“If you’re never going to fly, you don’t need to have a REAL ID. You don’t know that you will never fly, however. You might have to attend a graduation or a funeral. So we like people to be prepared, but, again, if you have a passport, or a Department of Homeland Security entry card, those are acceptable as well. So you can go to the TSA website and the DMV website to find out what documents you can use, but we don’t want people to feel like they have to get a REAL ID. But if you don’t have a passport and you do travel, your best bet is to get a REAL ID,” said Crabb.
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Queues have been extensive at DMV offices in Oregon, where waits lasting several hours may occur.
However, the Oregon DMV has increased staff levels to help manage and speed up the flow of people.
We’ve brought in additional temporary employees. Some staffers from the DMV headquarters have volunteered to leave their regular positions and come up here to assist us,” explained Crabb. “Everyone has been fantastic. Despite putting in long hours with large crowds, our team remains enthusiastic and optimistic, which positively influences those around them.
People getting their REAL ID at the Beaverton DMV office seemed to be rolling with the flow, or lack of it.
“Yeah, real easy. And I even saw my best friend, Jim Fischer Volvo, was in here, getting his ID. So you’d be surprised, you might see someone you know, and it might make the visitation a little more inspiring. Get in here. Get your ID. Meet some friends. Expand your horizons. That’s what it’s all about,” said Robert, “The Window Washer.” “Show up 20 minutes before they open. You still have time to run back and get all the IDs that you need to get your REAL ID. Which is basically an ID, and then three pieces of paper that give you your identification of where you live and all that.”
That’s the main point according to the DMV for obtaining your REAL ID: make sure you bring all necessary documentation with you when you visit.
Crabb mentioned that after obtaining your REAL ID for the first time, which requires an in-person visit along with various documents, you can subsequently renew it online with much greater ease.
An alternative method to hasten the procedure is by scheduling an appointment and being adaptable with your availability.
“Whether you arrive early enough hinges on your timing. The number of individuals present also plays a role. Should you secure an appointment, expect to enter and exit within approximately 15 minutes. However, obtaining one isn’t always straightforward as they tend to fill up rapidly. What we aim for everyone to understand is that we schedule appointments exactly thirty days ahead. Thus, my advice is to keep checking back since cancellations instantly return to our pool and become accessible again,” explained Crabb.
The DMV also recommends finding an office that isn’t usually crowded since you aren’t required to renew your ID in the municipality where you reside.
Crabb mentions that if you reside in Gresham, where wait times have reached as high as five hours, you could consider traveling to Hood River, which usually has significantly shorter wait periods.
Even though Oregon DMV has processed tens of thousands of REAL IDs in recent weeks, not everybody is opting for one.
As stated by the DMV on Monday morning, 38% of Oregon residents opted for a REAL ID, whereas 46% selected a standard driver’s license.
Additionally, about 600,000 individuals are anticipating their identification documents to lapse or simply have no intention of traveling by air.
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