REAL ID Deadline Creeps Closer: When Can You Get Yours In NJ?

NEW JERSEY — Federal REAL ID regulations will go into effect in less than eight months. The process of securing the documentation has been notoriously difficult for many New Jerseyans, with available appointments typically getting swept up quickly. But with the deadline approaching, appointments have become more readily available.

The federal REAL ID takes effect May 3. On that date, you must have a REAL ID-compliant driver's license to fly within the United States, unless you use a valid U.S. passport.

Throughout the process, the New Jersey Motor Vehicles Commission has often struggled to keep up with demand, with some residents unable to get an appointment until months later. But the agency has at least 1,000 appointments available at 24 different facilities as of Friday morning, and they all show appointments available within the next few days.

Here's what to know as the REAL ID deadline looms:

Do I need a REAL ID?

You're not required to get a REAL ID. But starting May 3, a typical driver's license or non-driver ID will become invalid for domestic flights. Travelers will need a passport or REAL ID to fly, but the standard New Jersey driver's license will remain valid for driving.

How can I get my REAL ID?

You can secure an appointment to do so at the MVC. You must bring two documents showing proof of your residential address. Find documentation guidance here. The MVC recommends updating as soon as possible or when you're due for license renewal.

Will the REAL ID look different from a traditional driver's license or non-driver ID?

The REAL ID has a star in the upper-right corner. The standard driver's license or ID looks similar but will have the words "NOT FOR 'REAL ID' PURPOSES" printed on them.

Will REAL ID cost more than a standard license or ID?

Yes. REAL ID costs $35, while the traditional IDs cost $24.

Why will REAL ID become a federal requirement?

The answer goes back nearly two decades, when then-President George W. Bush signed the REAL ID Act of 2005 into law. The law set forth federal requirements for standardizing state driver's licenses and ID cards. The REAL ID Act also tightens laws for immigrants to apply for asylum and waives regulations that interfere with constructing physical barriers at borders.

The law has faced criticism from throughout the political spectrum, including from libertarian groups such as the Cato Institute; immigrant-advocacy and civil-rights organizations, such as the American Civil Liberties Union; Christian-advocacy groups such as the American Center for Law & Justice; and firearm-advocacy groups, such as Gun Owners of America.

Privacy-rights advocates have claimed that creating a national system that electronically stores vast amounts of personal data increases the risk of identity theft and makes government surveillance easier. Supporters of the REAL ID Act, such as conservative think tank The Heritage Foundation, dismiss the criticism and say that states will only be allowed to share data when validating someone's identity.

New Jersey originally intended to begin issuing REAL IDs in 2012. But the MVC agreed to drop the plan as part of a settlement in a lawsuit the ACLU brought.