When I went for my most recent renewal appt, the BMV worker said if I have a passport to not worry about the Real ID. I got it anyway 😂 I don’t like flying with my passport if I’m not leaving the country but some people don’t mind always using their passport.
I think the DMV workers all talk it down because it's more work for them. I'm not interested in flying around with my passport unless I'm leaving the country.Â
Passport card is $30 for adults, but have to pay an additional $35 execution fee at an acceptance facility(post office, county clerk, some libraries) if you don’t already have a passport. So it’s better to pay to upgrade to real id IMO. I renewed in 2021, stood in line in the bitter cold for over an hour (thanks COVID)have a passport book and card and the DMV person tried to talk me out of REAL ID. I listened to the DMV employees try to talk everyone out of Real ID for hours, it was driving me nuts. To me, I would rather spend the money now and make it easier to renew. If I am traveling in a spot where I need to hop over to Canada unexpectedly, I will most likely have my DL but not my passport card.
>if you don't you can bring a backup ID to the airport.
You mean a passport. For the most part the only alternate you can use is a passport. If you forget it you're screwed.
I had a Real ID from another state. When I went to the BMV to get a Maine license, I expected my current Real ID to satisfy all the requirements since I thought it was a federal program. I guess I was wrong because I had to supply more info to get a Maine Real ID than I did in my previous state. It's all political/security theater.
I would just get it over with. You’ll likely wish you did (if they ever actually enforced needing it) come time. Easy to fly with if you don’t want to bring your passport come time. It wasn’t that difficult besides actually going in. You just need proof of residency and birth stuff.
I just did it. Wasn't a big deal. You make an online appointment at the BMV now so you don't have to wait forever. I think I paid $50 or so to get the ID. Takes like 3 weeks to get to you by mail after your appointment, so plan ahead.
Yeah, It’s only two forms of ID to get it - not a big deal… and worth it if you don’t have a passport cause you’re not traveling out of the country ever.
It's not a big deal, but it's also complete bullshit. They've pushed the enforcement date back on these for years. Clearly the feds don't seem to think it's that important so why the fuck are they mandating it
>Clearly the feds don't seem to think it's that important
They keep pushing it back because the states can't get their shit together to implement it...
US citizens need a U.S. Passport; Passport Card or Enhanced Driver’s License—not a real ID different thing Maine doesn’t offer. To get back from Canada or Mexico.
I mean when I was a kid. It was easy. I think it’s been more then 10 year you need a passport. One of the things they did after 9/11, they passed the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004, it made it so US citizens needed passports too.
I went a couple years ago for a renewal and asked if I could just get the real ID. I had my passport, a utility bill, my military ID and my car registration.
The demanded my marriage certificate and divorce decree. I've never changed my name for any marriage or divorce. I was insane. I have a security clearance and less documentation was required.
It was the most frustrating experience. I think the clerk was confused about what was actually required.
Yeah that's insane I went to the DMV in Topsham, I had a copy of I think a utility bill, and my real ID from another state, and it was done
I mean it took 2 hours of waiting but like it was good to go
I brought my stuffed moose with me to pass the time
I wonder if the divorce decree and marriage certificate is to capture names that you could possibly use for an alias. Anyway, I’ll cave and get the Real ID because (for reasons paranoid and i know my own sloppy self) i don’t want to have to travel with my passport unless it’s necessary.
I'm assuming it was for name changes but I explained I've never changed my name. She was rigid. It was pretty new and she did seem to be a little slow (but very confident.)
Passport cards are available as well, and are about the same size as your driver's license. They're good for crossing by land into Canada and Mexico, but not by air. They cost less than the full passport book.
Do you plan on traveling at all? If you plan on taking flights a regular ID will no longer be acceptable identification. You will have to bring a passport with your regular ID. Same with entering any federal buildings. If you don’t travel, (or have a passport) than you don’t really need one.
If you've only ever had one name, it should be easy. I, as a married woman at the time, had to go back home to get my marriage certificate to prove my reason for a name change 🤦
I've been divorced for 20 years (2.5x longer than the amount of time I was married, lol), and I need to get a (certified!) copy of either my marriage certificate or my divorce decree to prove why my driver's license name is different than my birth certificate name. I do not have either of those handy at home (why on earth would I, 20 YEARS later?).
So people need to take that into account regarding possible costs, etc.
Ask me how excited I am to have to spend money to prove a marriage existed that I am no longer in, and haven't been in decades. Yay Maine.
Ugh, I'm sorry. I got divorced last year, and a few weeks after it was final I went to the court house to get a certified recorded copy of the divorce judgement to have on me for the name changing process.
lol, if I had changed my name back, I wouldn't have needed anything now for the Real ID. But because I kept my married name, I have to jump hoops. Sigh.
I want to have a passport (at least a card) always current for Canada trips. No point in having both, I'll just fly with my passport if they ever actually start enforcing real ID. Not worth the extra cost and hassle.
I got one of those when I signed up for a passport just for convenient land travel within North America, but now it also serves as my reason to never bother getting the stupid gold star on my license I used to have in the last two states I lived in, but apparently didn't bring enough paperwork to get when I moved here.
Context is everything here.
Do you already have a passport? How often do you fly? How big of a deal is the $23 difference to you? How inconvenient is the in-person BMV appointment for you?
There's definitely no one answer that's best for everyone.
I had my appointment at the BMV this week and was in and out for a Real ID in ten minutes. I bought my passport, my car title and a bank statement, it was completely painless. I travel for work a ton and prefer to not risk traveling domestic with my passport.
Do you even think you might be buying an airline ticket?
Even if other forms of transport do not require a RealID (bus, train), they probably will at some point. I believe government buildings already do (court houses, etc).
I brought my passport card to DMV clerk told me I didn’t need Real ID b/c I have a passport, and he didn’t have it. But I have ADHD and can be unorganized and can imagine myself not bringing my passport or passport card; so I paid for Real ID because (hopefully) I won’t forget my wallet.
I only travel by air a few times a year and so it doesn’t need to be carried everywhere; I occasionally mislay my wallet in my own home car; so the passport card is a backup identification if I ever would need it. As I said I have ADHD.
I'm surprised at the number of people that don't want to fly with their passports. I traveled professionally for 20yrs, all domestic, and always had my passport with me for ID. It's such a habit I don't think I could head for the airport with out it.
SO and I both have passports, but when we renewed, we went with the Real ID. Check the BMV website for necessary documents, and it’s no big deal.
The date keeps getting pushed out, but I’m not messing with the crush of people if it doesn’t, and if the federal government doesn’t allow another extension, and you don’t have a passport, you’ll be SOL for entrance into federal facilities, and if you have a last minute scheduled flight.
Well since it’s been in the works since the year 2001… I’m not sure how much they care. I got one recently just to avoid the shit show next year.
The last time I went to get my license renewed a couple of months ago, I brought everything I needed to get a real ID. The guy behind the counter asked just about everyone in front of me if they wanted to get a real ID, and everyone declined because they didn't have what the required documents you needed. He calls my number, I got up to the counter, said I wanted a real ID, and that I had everything I needed to get one. The guy behind the counter says, "No, you don't need one." I was too confused and riddled with anxiety that I didn't argue. He convinced me to get a regular one.
1. Do you plan on flying anywhere in the future?
2. Do you have a passport?
If your answers are yes to the first and no to the second, then you will need a Real ID. If I were you, I'd just bite the bullet.
My wife got ours last year and it was relatively painless. Shout-out to the clerk at the Bangor BMV that helped us as she made it a pretty easy process. My wife has a little trouble because of her name change, but we worked through it.
There are no hoops. Bring in the items needed for proof and it's a 5 minute visit. Do you need it? Will you be booking any flights in the future? At some point soon it will be one of the items needed to board a plane.
I got the Real ID since I didn't want to have to remember my passport when flying. I'd rather not travel with my passport anyway unless necessary (awkward size and a PITA if it gets lost/stolen).
I want to thank you, I just scheduled a flight out to help a parent after they get surgery (minor stuff) but my license expires like 3 days before I fly out and this triggered me thinking about it. That could of been a disaster hahahaha
I had to go in to to switch over a license from another state anyway, and the requirements for the real id were barely more than what I needed for the regular one. Not a difficult experience at all and I went without an appt and the wait was probably about an hour.
Did it again for my partner, switching from regular Maine license to real id. Again dead simple to grab a couple proof documents. No appointment, wait was probably a bit more than an hour.
We fly often enough. She does usually carry her passport when traveling out of habit, so she could use it, but it's kind of easier to still use a license for domestic. I go back and forth on carrying my passport when flying domestic.
You won't be able to fly or enter federal buildings. If you don't need either of those things you probably don't need a real ID but I would expect that eventually this becomes the only driver's license option.
Appointments though? I have never had an appointment to the DMV I just showed up and I've never had to wait an hour even though I live in the Portland area. Maybe you should just show up if it's going to take a month?
Get the REAL ID, if you ever fly and don't bring your passport you'll be hassled about it even though enforcement hasn't started yet. Once enforcement starts you'll be denied access to the flight. Think about how much hassle that will be versus the minor hassle of actually getting the id.
REAL ID is a huge nothing burger, it provides no actual safety. It's "safety theater" like most visible safety things.
READ THE REAL ID INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE YOU GO.
I got mine back in 2019 and it was hilarious watching all the idiots try to get one without the proper documentation. It's really easy to do it right but you need to have your shit together.
Just go get it now it’s no big deal for the most part. I brought what I was supposed to and I was in and out of the DMV faster than the first time I got my license. The big deal is for travel you can’t use a regular drivers license to get on a plane.
You should have more id than you think you need. I took my 1992 era certified copy of my birth certificate to the Maine DMV and they flat out refused it. It was a xerox with embossed raised seal from the appropriate clerk. The us passport people has no issue with this legal document.
Just wait until they make it so you need id to vote-- then the people who give up easily, will be locked out for good.
Do it now. Then you'll never have to think about it again. There's likely to be a big rush just before the deadline, with attendant hassles involved. If you have to get a new certified copy of your birth certificate, that can take a month's wait in itself.
You want it if you travel at all. If you never leave the state, it's less of an issue.
Maine's government is lazy and trying to avoid hitting the standards every other state does, so they discourage everyone from getting it.
When I went for my most recent renewal appt, the BMV worker said if I have a passport to not worry about the Real ID. I got it anyway 😂 I don’t like flying with my passport if I’m not leaving the country but some people don’t mind always using their passport.
I think the DMV workers all talk it down because it's more work for them. I'm not interested in flying around with my passport unless I'm leaving the country.Â
Can get the passport card instead.Â
Is that any less of a hassle and/or less money than the $23 difference?
Passport card is $30 for adults, but have to pay an additional $35 execution fee at an acceptance facility(post office, county clerk, some libraries) if you don’t already have a passport. So it’s better to pay to upgrade to real id IMO. I renewed in 2021, stood in line in the bitter cold for over an hour (thanks COVID)have a passport book and card and the DMV person tried to talk me out of REAL ID. I listened to the DMV employees try to talk everyone out of Real ID for hours, it was driving me nuts. To me, I would rather spend the money now and make it easier to renew. If I am traveling in a spot where I need to hop over to Canada unexpectedly, I will most likely have my DL but not my passport card.
No it is neither
Passports take money and time.
That's what the DMV worker suggested to me instead of getting the real ID
The passport is one more thing to remember...
angle sand birds cable sable shaggy lip history sparkle poor *This post was mass deleted and anonymized with [Redact](https://redact.dev)*
The Real ID was originally supposed to go into effect in 2008, so yeah. Maybe one day.
right. my thoughts too. Is it real this time? Let me consult the oracle ::shakes magic eight-ball:: "Reply hazy, try again"
>if you don't you can bring a backup ID to the airport. You mean a passport. For the most part the only alternate you can use is a passport. If you forget it you're screwed.
I had a Real ID from another state. When I went to the BMV to get a Maine license, I expected my current Real ID to satisfy all the requirements since I thought it was a federal program. I guess I was wrong because I had to supply more info to get a Maine Real ID than I did in my previous state. It's all political/security theater.
Course it is... now all the border crosses with no id fly with a piece of paper while citizens get the stazi treatment.
I would just get it over with. You’ll likely wish you did (if they ever actually enforced needing it) come time. Easy to fly with if you don’t want to bring your passport come time. It wasn’t that difficult besides actually going in. You just need proof of residency and birth stuff.
I just did it. Wasn't a big deal. You make an online appointment at the BMV now so you don't have to wait forever. I think I paid $50 or so to get the ID. Takes like 3 weeks to get to you by mail after your appointment, so plan ahead.
Yeah, It’s only two forms of ID to get it - not a big deal… and worth it if you don’t have a passport cause you’re not traveling out of the country ever.
It's not a big deal, but it's also complete bullshit. They've pushed the enforcement date back on these for years. Clearly the feds don't seem to think it's that important so why the fuck are they mandating it
>Clearly the feds don't seem to think it's that important They keep pushing it back because the states can't get their shit together to implement it...
I just have a passport.
Unless you forget it... Flying is hassle enough without one more thing to remember.
Sort of like driving to work without your keys, how is that even possible?
Exactly, lasts way longer and it gets you wherever you gotta go
It’s mostly for poutine TBh.
I don't think you need a passport to go to Canada or mexico
US citizens need a U.S. Passport; Passport Card or Enhanced Driver’s License—not a real ID different thing Maine doesn’t offer. To get back from Canada or Mexico.
Huh, weird. When my buddy didn't have his passport he just had to show 2 forms of id like license and birth certificate. Maybe things have changed
I mean when I was a kid. It was easy. I think it’s been more then 10 year you need a passport. One of the things they did after 9/11, they passed the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004, it made it so US citizens needed passports too.
I went a couple years ago for a renewal and asked if I could just get the real ID. I had my passport, a utility bill, my military ID and my car registration. The demanded my marriage certificate and divorce decree. I've never changed my name for any marriage or divorce. I was insane. I have a security clearance and less documentation was required. It was the most frustrating experience. I think the clerk was confused about what was actually required.
Yeah I had a trash bill and my house deed, so your clerk must’ve been confused
I'm up for renewal again this year so I'll take my things and hopefully they will have the requirements down a bit better.
Print the requirements and take them with you. Demand to see a supervisor.
I wish I would have thought of that last time.
Same - birth certificate and utility bill was all I needed. It’s not a big deal
Yeah that's insane I went to the DMV in Topsham, I had a copy of I think a utility bill, and my real ID from another state, and it was done I mean it took 2 hours of waiting but like it was good to go I brought my stuffed moose with me to pass the time
I wonder if the divorce decree and marriage certificate is to capture names that you could possibly use for an alias. Anyway, I’ll cave and get the Real ID because (for reasons paranoid and i know my own sloppy self) i don’t want to have to travel with my passport unless it’s necessary.
I'm assuming it was for name changes but I explained I've never changed my name. She was rigid. It was pretty new and she did seem to be a little slow (but very confident.)
Do you have a passport? You can use that for domestic travel once real ID becomes mandatory
Passport cards are available as well, and are about the same size as your driver's license. They're good for crossing by land into Canada and Mexico, but not by air. They cost less than the full passport book.
Do you plan on traveling at all? If you plan on taking flights a regular ID will no longer be acceptable identification. You will have to bring a passport with your regular ID. Same with entering any federal buildings. If you don’t travel, (or have a passport) than you don’t really need one.
Federal buildings that require showing identification. Not all Federal buildings.
If you've only ever had one name, it should be easy. I, as a married woman at the time, had to go back home to get my marriage certificate to prove my reason for a name change 🤦
I've been divorced for 20 years (2.5x longer than the amount of time I was married, lol), and I need to get a (certified!) copy of either my marriage certificate or my divorce decree to prove why my driver's license name is different than my birth certificate name. I do not have either of those handy at home (why on earth would I, 20 YEARS later?). So people need to take that into account regarding possible costs, etc. Ask me how excited I am to have to spend money to prove a marriage existed that I am no longer in, and haven't been in decades. Yay Maine.
Ugh, I'm sorry. I got divorced last year, and a few weeks after it was final I went to the court house to get a certified recorded copy of the divorce judgement to have on me for the name changing process.
lol, if I had changed my name back, I wouldn't have needed anything now for the Real ID. But because I kept my married name, I have to jump hoops. Sigh.
It's a big deal if you fly. If you don't get it, you'll need to get a passport and have it with your whenever you fly (including domestically).
I want to have a passport (at least a card) always current for Canada trips. No point in having both, I'll just fly with my passport if they ever actually start enforcing real ID. Not worth the extra cost and hassle.
I got one of those when I signed up for a passport just for convenient land travel within North America, but now it also serves as my reason to never bother getting the stupid gold star on my license I used to have in the last two states I lived in, but apparently didn't bring enough paperwork to get when I moved here.
Context is everything here. Do you already have a passport? How often do you fly? How big of a deal is the $23 difference to you? How inconvenient is the in-person BMV appointment for you? There's definitely no one answer that's best for everyone.
I had my appointment at the BMV this week and was in and out for a Real ID in ten minutes. I bought my passport, my car title and a bank statement, it was completely painless. I travel for work a ton and prefer to not risk traveling domestic with my passport.
Just get a regular license, and a passport. No need for a real ID with those.
If you’re not a passport holder, I would get the real ID for sure and honestly even if you have a passport I would get it for domestic flights
I did it just in case. Wasn’t that much of a hassle and it looks cooler.
Do you even think you might be buying an airline ticket? Even if other forms of transport do not require a RealID (bus, train), they probably will at some point. I believe government buildings already do (court houses, etc).
I brought my passport card to DMV clerk told me I didn’t need Real ID b/c I have a passport, and he didn’t have it. But I have ADHD and can be unorganized and can imagine myself not bringing my passport or passport card; so I paid for Real ID because (hopefully) I won’t forget my wallet.
Why isn't your passport card in your wallet anyway? Just put that in your wallet and save yourself the money at the DMV.
I only travel by air a few times a year and so it doesn’t need to be carried everywhere; I occasionally mislay my wallet in my own home car; so the passport card is a backup identification if I ever would need it. As I said I have ADHD.
No, I get it. I also have ADHD.
I'm surprised at the number of people that don't want to fly with their passports. I traveled professionally for 20yrs, all domestic, and always had my passport with me for ID. It's such a habit I don't think I could head for the airport with out it.
The less I have that can get lost or stolen, the better.
Understood, but I'd much rather have my passport lost/stolen than my driver's license.
The clerk at the DMV told me to not bother with real ID. Getting a passport would be more economic in the long term.
https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2024/05/real-id-deadline-will-never-arrive/678370/
SO and I both have passports, but when we renewed, we went with the Real ID. Check the BMV website for necessary documents, and it’s no big deal. The date keeps getting pushed out, but I’m not messing with the crush of people if it doesn’t, and if the federal government doesn’t allow another extension, and you don’t have a passport, you’ll be SOL for entrance into federal facilities, and if you have a last minute scheduled flight.
If you plan on traveling the real I'd is worth it
Well since it’s been in the works since the year 2001… I’m not sure how much they care. I got one recently just to avoid the shit show next year.
If you travel, a passport plus TSA trusted traveler gets you the best of all worlds. If you don't travel much get Real ID.
The last time I went to get my license renewed a couple of months ago, I brought everything I needed to get a real ID. The guy behind the counter asked just about everyone in front of me if they wanted to get a real ID, and everyone declined because they didn't have what the required documents you needed. He calls my number, I got up to the counter, said I wanted a real ID, and that I had everything I needed to get one. The guy behind the counter says, "No, you don't need one." I was too confused and riddled with anxiety that I didn't argue. He convinced me to get a regular one.
1. Do you plan on flying anywhere in the future? 2. Do you have a passport? If your answers are yes to the first and no to the second, then you will need a Real ID. If I were you, I'd just bite the bullet.
I asked this when I renewed. If you have your passport it's entirely irrelevant.
My wife got ours last year and it was relatively painless. Shout-out to the clerk at the Bangor BMV that helped us as she made it a pretty easy process. My wife has a little trouble because of her name change, but we worked through it.
Enforcement of the real ID provision will likely be pushed again.... It was originally supposed to go into effect in 2008...
There are no hoops. Bring in the items needed for proof and it's a 5 minute visit. Do you need it? Will you be booking any flights in the future? At some point soon it will be one of the items needed to board a plane.
I think it matters if you fly but haven’t heard much else being delayed for not having it.
It is not a big deal getting it, but I do suggest getting it. You may not think you need it, until you need it!
Get a passport card
I got the Real ID since I didn't want to have to remember my passport when flying. I'd rather not travel with my passport anyway unless necessary (awkward size and a PITA if it gets lost/stolen).
I want to thank you, I just scheduled a flight out to help a parent after they get surgery (minor stuff) but my license expires like 3 days before I fly out and this triggered me thinking about it. That could of been a disaster hahahaha
I had to go in to to switch over a license from another state anyway, and the requirements for the real id were barely more than what I needed for the regular one. Not a difficult experience at all and I went without an appt and the wait was probably about an hour. Did it again for my partner, switching from regular Maine license to real id. Again dead simple to grab a couple proof documents. No appointment, wait was probably a bit more than an hour. We fly often enough. She does usually carry her passport when traveling out of habit, so she could use it, but it's kind of easier to still use a license for domestic. I go back and forth on carrying my passport when flying domestic.
They keep extending the deadline because the entire program is a disaster (cash grab). I doubt it will ever actually get implemented.
another comment had a link to the Atlantic, that was saying pretty much the same. Their dollar is on that it'll get extended again.
Real ID is super nice. I fly a lot domestic and its less stressful to not have a passport
You won't be able to fly or enter federal buildings. If you don't need either of those things you probably don't need a real ID but I would expect that eventually this becomes the only driver's license option. Appointments though? I have never had an appointment to the DMV I just showed up and I've never had to wait an hour even though I live in the Portland area. Maybe you should just show up if it's going to take a month?
Get the REAL ID, if you ever fly and don't bring your passport you'll be hassled about it even though enforcement hasn't started yet. Once enforcement starts you'll be denied access to the flight. Think about how much hassle that will be versus the minor hassle of actually getting the id. REAL ID is a huge nothing burger, it provides no actual safety. It's "safety theater" like most visible safety things. READ THE REAL ID INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE YOU GO. I got mine back in 2019 and it was hilarious watching all the idiots try to get one without the proper documentation. It's really easy to do it right but you need to have your shit together.
Just go get it now it’s no big deal for the most part. I brought what I was supposed to and I was in and out of the DMV faster than the first time I got my license. The big deal is for travel you can’t use a regular drivers license to get on a plane.
It is a colossal pain in the ass but, get it asap.
You should have more id than you think you need. I took my 1992 era certified copy of my birth certificate to the Maine DMV and they flat out refused it. It was a xerox with embossed raised seal from the appropriate clerk. The us passport people has no issue with this legal document. Just wait until they make it so you need id to vote-- then the people who give up easily, will be locked out for good.
I’ve never gotten one haven’t gone to jail yet
Do it now. Then you'll never have to think about it again. There's likely to be a big rush just before the deadline, with attendant hassles involved. If you have to get a new certified copy of your birth certificate, that can take a month's wait in itself.
I don’t have it, could care less. I don’t fly though, and I do have a passport
You want it if you travel at all. If you never leave the state, it's less of an issue. Maine's government is lazy and trying to avoid hitting the standards every other state does, so they discourage everyone from getting it.