Real ID Deadline Tomorrow: What You Need to Know Now

Starting Wednesday, you’ll need a REAL ID or passport to fly domestically, and at this point, getting an appointment at the RMV isn’t easy.

James Bocock just got his REAL ID at the RMV in Braintree on the last day before the deadline.

“It was quite challenging. For several consecutive days, I attempted to join but frequently found that even though they usually went live around 9 a.m., within five to ten minutes of my trying to sign up, the slots had already been filled,” explained Bocock.

He mentions that his spouse needed to travel for more than an hour to a DMV location with available appointments just to obtain the REAL ID.

They’re in a rush, since they’re traveling to Disney in a few weeks.

“My wife and I, we have a little girl, and we want everything to be as wrinkle-free as we possibly can,” said Bocock.

The Department of Homeland Security states that even without a REAL ID, you can still board planes at present.

“What will occur tomorrow is that individuals will go through the queue, present their identification, and if their ID isn’t up to standard, they might be rerouted to another line where they’ll undergo additional verification steps before being cleared for travel,” stated Kristi Noem, the Homeland Security Secretary.

Secretary Noem states that they anticipate minimal delays because over 80 percent of travelers possess IDs that comply with the updated requirements, which could be either a REAL ID or a passport.

“We aim to achieve this with minimal disruption to operations,” stated Dan Velez, the TSA New England spokesperson.

The TSA states that if you do not possess a REAL ID, they will require you to undergo additional scrutiny and be subject to further inspection.

“If you don’t possess a REAL ID or a compliant REAL ID document, we recommend arriving at the airport well before your usual time,” stated Velez.

Starting Wednesday, you’ll require a REAL ID to access any federal buildings.

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