Real ID Licenses
Jeanne D. Got mine done in Washington. It was as quick as a regular license as long as you have all the credentials for it. It will get mailed to you like a regular driver's license does now.
Grapes I got mine about 6 months ago. Have your documentation in order and it is an easy process. Hardest part is getting the appointment now.
JrzyGirl88 May be helpful:
"With 63 days left before federal Real ID standards take effect on May 7, the state Motor Vehicle Commission will hold dedicated Real ID events in March and April to help drivers obtain the document needed for domestic air travel.
Beginning Thursday, March 20, MVC Licensing Centers will add nearly 4,500 new appointments on “Real ID Thursdays,” providing more opportunities for drivers to get a Real ID."
OnTheEdge 
JeffersonRepub The thing I don't understand is that the requirements for the Real ID license seem to be the same requirements for a NJ license already. The last time I renewed my license I had to present my social security card, my birth certificate, and 2 utility bills to prove my address. They called it Six Points or something like that. Am I missing something?
Lonesome Dove A REAL ID is a driver’s license or state ID card that is compliant with the federal REAL ID Act passed after the 9/11 attacks.
It is issued by a state motor vehicle agency and contains a number of security features, such as a barcode and a gold star on the card, that make it more difficult to counterfeit.
A REAL ID also requires additional proof of identity, such as a birth certificate or passport, when applying.
I had to go to Patterson to get mine because that was the nearest MV office that had open appointments.
Allamuchy Al 
ianimal Here is more info. I was able to get on at 5:30am to make appointment, but it would not take my license number. I called the state, and they said since my license doesn't expire until 2027, they are not taking applications yet. He suggested that after March 14th to go on and do Real ID non renewal category. He said that every Thursday they were going to add more appointments so check again early in the morning. Hope this helps.
JRN Have I been living under a rock!! - This is the first I've heard about a read ID - same question as JRN - what are the consequences??
margaret You will need a real ID license by May 7th to fly within the US unless you have a valid passport. I think this is the only reason you would need one it does not affect driving with your current ID. You can get more information here and what forms of ID you need: https://www.nj.gov/mvc/realid/index.html
You need to make an appointment at a DMV office and go with your forms of ID to get one. I processed mine at the Washington DMV and it took about 2 weeks to come in the mail from the time they filed the paperwork at my appointment.
HtowngalThanks Ian. I'll get around to getting the RealID, but I know I don't HAVE to for awhile since my passport is valid.
Here's a secondary question:
My DL expires this year. Do I HAVE to get a RealID to replace it, or can I still just get a driver's license (and if so, can I maybe renew that online?).
"You are not required to get a REAL ID; however, starting May 7, 2025, if you typically use your driver license or non-driver ID (instead of a passport or other form of ID) to fly within the U.S., you probably want a REAL ID. Otherwise you will need to use a valid U.S. passport or another federally approved form of identification. The Standard New Jersey driver license can still be used for driving."
https://www.nj.gov/mvc/realid/
FYI - You must manually put your info in when making an appointment. Don't let the computer auto fill the info as the system will not accept it. Finally, after nultiple attempts I was successful this morning at 4;45am to get appointment in Washington although it isn't until June 24th.
Do we think the May date is actually happening this time? The REAL ID deadline has been pushed back so many times in the past.
Kingcoriander Starting Feb. 1, 2026, TSA may charge a $45 fee for travelers who do not have a Real ID or other acceptable identification.
Travelers can pay the fee in advance online through a portal called TSA ConfirmID.
Paying the fee does not guarantee that TSA can verify your identity or that you will be allowed to fly.
The thing I don't understand about this Real ID thing. A few years ago, when I renewed my drivers license, I had to bring in certain documents that added up to 6 points. Remember that? Which I did. It looks like the same exact documents are required for the Real ID license, so why do I have to do all that nonsense all over again? They already saw all the proof back then.
If you already have a passport and then want a card you have to use the passport renewal process and it's by mail.
I have a passport. That wasn't my point.
I was wondering why any of us has to go through with Real ID process when we already did all that stuff just to renew our license the past ten years.
I have had a nj drivers license for over 70 years, And have never been asked for additional documents for renewal.
Len 
I don't know what year it was, but here is the DMV brochure explaining the documents you needed to bring with you. Each one was assigned a point value and you had to have a total of 6 points to get your license, even for a renewal. I only had to do it once. After that my renewals are routine, like before this.
I believe the main difference in the REAL ID verification is the electronic cross-checking of your name with SSA. If your legal name is “Robert” and your social security card says “Bobby” (I had a similar issue), you wouldn’t have had an issue previously renewing, but you would for REAL ID. This scenario is common for women with married names and the maiden name is treated like a middle name. They’re pretty much looking at exactness across all documents.
Schmedley Wilcox I had a similar issue Schmedley. When I initially went for the real id I was denied because my middle name on my license was Eric and on the SS card it was just "E" (or vice versa). They said since they didn't match I couldn't get a real id. I asked the DMV person how do I correct this? She told me to go get a new SS card. I told her I had this SS card since birth so why couldn't she change my license. She said they couldn't do it. I decided not to get the real id at that time. Fast forward a year later and I tried again. This time I didn't use my SS card for points. I supplied them the SS id number when asked and that worked. I advise not using your SS id car for points if they don't match 100%
M & K For standard NJDL - you will need 6 pts of ID and 1 proof of address. For POA, you can use online documents ex - bank statements
For Real ID - You also need 6 points of ID AND 2 proofs of address. Everything must be printed out. If you do online banking or online bill pay, will need to print out most recent statements. For initial Real ID - it must be done in person. Subsequent renewals (up to 2x) can be done online.
Everything must match. For example. If legal name in passport is Thomas, everything must be Thomas - not Tom
Women - if you had name changed due to marriage/divorce, you must bring marriage/divorce papers to "link" the names.
Also for Real ID - you MUST prove your legal status whether Birth Cert, US Passport, Permanent Resident Cards, Naturalization Papers etc.
For standard (regular) NJDL - No need to prove legal status as long as the 6 pts and proof of address is presented.
For Real ID - Everything must be current so if DL expired even 1 day - cannot use. Documents are also date sensitive. Some valid for 60 days, some 9o days etc.
Appts are currently booking 3 months ahead. Please, please take 5 min to go to MJMVC.gov to review list of documents before going to appt.
You waited 3 months, took time out of your busy day from work/school - that extra 5 min of prep beforehand will go a long way.
If documents are in order, it will be a quick and painless process.
I did my real ID at the Randolph DMV a couple weeks ago, I would never do it again. The process was ridiculous and the worker were so unpleasant. I would recommend just going the passport route, and you can even get a passport card that is valid for flying.
HWatkins19 I got my realid last year at Washington and the process was completely normal and not at all ridiculous (just slightly long wait even with an appointment)
Too bad they don't issue Real ID driver's licenses at the Washington facility anymore. It was more convenient than driving to Randolph.
Navy vet Navy vet, wrong - Washington DMV of course still offers real ID appointments.
https://telegov.njportal.com/njmvc/AppointmentWizard/12
Thanks for the information that Real ID driver's licenses are available by appointment at the Washington facility.
I seem to recall a few years ago that all driver's licenses were only available at Randolph. Maybe it was only during COVID?
Leave a Reply
To comment on this topic, fill out the form below. If you would like to comment directly to one person, you may click on the envelope next to the posters name if they provided their email.