Facing rush before May 7 deadline, NY expands opportunities to get REAL ID licenses
ALBANY – A spike in New Yorkers seeking to upgrade their driver's licenses to federal REAL ID security standards has prompted the state to expand opportunities to obtain the more secure licenses.
The licenses will be among required identification to board domestic air travel beginning May 7. New Yorkers will still be able to board flights using their passports.
Some downstate New Yorkers have recently said they have had difficulty in finding open appointments at state Department of Motor Vehicles offices through June. A spot check by Newsday using the DMV website this week found few DMV offices on Long Island, New York City or Westchester County that had days in which appointments were available through June.
The lack of slots for appointments follows a 126% increase in New Yorkers seeking REAL ID-compliant licenses in January and February compared with the same period in 2024, according to the DMV.
On Thursday, the DMV plans to announce new Thursday hours beginning April 3 on Long Island, New York City and the northern suburbs to handle applications for REAL ID-compliant licenses. The “REAL ID Thursdays” are in addition to previously announced special Saturday hours at some DMV offices on Long Island and New York City beginning April 5.
In addition, members of AAA can have their applications processed at 10 AAA Northeast offices by appointment on Long Island, New York City and Westchester County, the DMV announced Wednesday.
The department also will process applications at the New York International Auto Show April 18 through 27 at the Jacob Javits Convention Center in Manhattan.
The DMV also is “significantly increasing” appointment slots at its offices to process REAL ID-compliant licenses and is staggering the times and hours weekdays for when the appointments are available.
“We know New Yorkers have been looking for more opportunities to get their REAL ID," Mark J.F. Schroeder, state commissioner of motor vehicles, said. "These extended hours and added appointments represent our latest efforts to expand that opportunity in the parts of the state where appointments have been hardest to come by.
“We’ve been issuing REAL IDs since 2017, and in these final weeks until the federal deadline, we remain committed to helping New Yorkers get their REAL ID or Enhanced license as soon as possible," Schroeder said in a written statement.
New Yorkers seeking appointments should keep checking the Department of Motor Vehicles scheduling site: public.nydmvreservation.com.
DMV officials strongly recommend scheduling an appointment for the process, which requires the applicant to present several documents to prove their identification and citizenship status. New Yorkers may still walk in for a visit to apply, but that could result in a lengthy wait. Also, not all DMV offices will accept applicants without an appointment.
Beginning April 3, DMV offices in the five boroughs, on Long Island and in Westchester and Rockland counties will have staff from 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Thursdays to process REAL ID-compliant licenses, which includes the state’s Enhanced Licenses.
The special Saturday hours will be from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. from April 5 through June 28. Appointments will be available for New Yorkers seeking licenses, permits and nondriver IDs that comply with REAL ID requirements. Enhanced licenses, permits and nondriver IDs can be used for air travel on May 7 and beyond.
Saturday sessions will be at the Garden City and Medford DMV offices. Other offices that will offer Saturday hours are in College Point, Coney Island, the Brooklyn Atlantic office, the Richmond office in Staten Island, the Midtown and Harlem offices in Manhattan, the Bronx and Yonkers offices.
The federal REAL ID Law requires a deeper level of security for a state driver’s license, learner’s permit or non-driver identification card to board domestic flights beginning May 7. A REAL ID license also will be required to enter many federal buildings and facilities, such as military bases.
New Yorkers who need a REAL ID-compliant license may renew their license even if it isn’t expiring soon, without losing the length of time the license is valid.
Applicants for a REAL ID-compliant license, permit or nondriver ID must bring an original Social Security card, federal tax documents W-2, 1099, 1098, or a pay stub showing a full Social Security number.
In addition, applicants must bring two proofs of residency in New York State, which can include a state driver's license, permit or nondriver ID card, postmarked mail, printed bank statements or utility bills if they are dated within 365 days of the application and contain the applicant’s address. Post office box numbers are not acceptable.
Additional proof of lawful residency includes a valid, original U.S. passport (not a copy), birth certificate, naturalization certificate or permanent resident card, a valid foreign passport with visa, I-94 or I-551 documentation, or recent and certified copies of birth or marriage certificates. Expired or outdated documents can’t be used.
To review documents needed to prove identity and citizenship status, go to process.dmv.ny.gov/documentguide/dmv_license/DisplayPages/pwizlicensePermitNDID.cfm.
ALBANY – A spike in New Yorkers seeking to upgrade their driver's licenses to federal REAL ID security standards has prompted the state to expand opportunities to obtain the more secure licenses.
The licenses will be among required identification to board domestic air travel beginning May 7. New Yorkers will still be able to board flights using their passports.
Some downstate New Yorkers have recently said they have had difficulty in finding open appointments at state Department of Motor Vehicles offices through June. A spot check by Newsday using the DMV website this week found few DMV offices on Long Island, New York City or Westchester County that had days in which appointments were available through June.
The lack of slots for appointments follows a 126% increase in New Yorkers seeking REAL ID-compliant licenses in January and February compared with the same period in 2024, according to the DMV.
WHAT NEWSDAY FOUND
- A spike in New Yorkers seeking to upgrade driver's licenses to federal REAL ID standards has prompted the state to expand opportunities to obtain the more secure licenses.
- The licenses, or other documents such as a passport, will be required for domestic air travel beginning May 7.
- A lack of slots for appointments recently follows a 126% increase in the number of New Yorkers seeking REAL ID-compliant licenses in January and February compared with the same period in 2024, according to the DMV.
On Thursday, the DMV plans to announce new Thursday hours beginning April 3 on Long Island, New York City and the northern suburbs to handle applications for REAL ID-compliant licenses. The “REAL ID Thursdays” are in addition to previously announced special Saturday hours at some DMV offices on Long Island and New York City beginning April 5.
In addition, members of AAA can have their applications processed at 10 AAA Northeast offices by appointment on Long Island, New York City and Westchester County, the DMV announced Wednesday.
The department also will process applications at the New York International Auto Show April 18 through 27 at the Jacob Javits Convention Center in Manhattan.
The DMV also is “significantly increasing” appointment slots at its offices to process REAL ID-compliant licenses and is staggering the times and hours weekdays for when the appointments are available.
“We know New Yorkers have been looking for more opportunities to get their REAL ID," Mark J.F. Schroeder, state commissioner of motor vehicles, said. "These extended hours and added appointments represent our latest efforts to expand that opportunity in the parts of the state where appointments have been hardest to come by.
“We’ve been issuing REAL IDs since 2017, and in these final weeks until the federal deadline, we remain committed to helping New Yorkers get their REAL ID or Enhanced license as soon as possible," Schroeder said in a written statement.
New Yorkers seeking appointments should keep checking the Department of Motor Vehicles scheduling site: public.nydmvreservation.com.
DMV officials strongly recommend scheduling an appointment for the process, which requires the applicant to present several documents to prove their identification and citizenship status. New Yorkers may still walk in for a visit to apply, but that could result in a lengthy wait. Also, not all DMV offices will accept applicants without an appointment.
Beginning April 3, DMV offices in the five boroughs, on Long Island and in Westchester and Rockland counties will have staff from 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Thursdays to process REAL ID-compliant licenses, which includes the state’s Enhanced Licenses.
The special Saturday hours will be from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. from April 5 through June 28. Appointments will be available for New Yorkers seeking licenses, permits and nondriver IDs that comply with REAL ID requirements. Enhanced licenses, permits and nondriver IDs can be used for air travel on May 7 and beyond.
Saturday sessions will be at the Garden City and Medford DMV offices. Other offices that will offer Saturday hours are in College Point, Coney Island, the Brooklyn Atlantic office, the Richmond office in Staten Island, the Midtown and Harlem offices in Manhattan, the Bronx and Yonkers offices.
The federal REAL ID Law requires a deeper level of security for a state driver’s license, learner’s permit or non-driver identification card to board domestic flights beginning May 7. A REAL ID license also will be required to enter many federal buildings and facilities, such as military bases.
New Yorkers who need a REAL ID-compliant license may renew their license even if it isn’t expiring soon, without losing the length of time the license is valid.
Applicants for a REAL ID-compliant license, permit or nondriver ID must bring an original Social Security card, federal tax documents W-2, 1099, 1098, or a pay stub showing a full Social Security number.
In addition, applicants must bring two proofs of residency in New York State, which can include a state driver's license, permit or nondriver ID card, postmarked mail, printed bank statements or utility bills if they are dated within 365 days of the application and contain the applicant’s address. Post office box numbers are not acceptable.
Additional proof of lawful residency includes a valid, original U.S. passport (not a copy), birth certificate, naturalization certificate or permanent resident card, a valid foreign passport with visa, I-94 or I-551 documentation, or recent and certified copies of birth or marriage certificates. Expired or outdated documents can’t be used.
To review documents needed to prove identity and citizenship status, go to process.dmv.ny.gov/documentguide/dmv_license/DisplayPages/pwizlicensePermitNDID.cfm.
Michael Gormley has worked for Newsday since 2013, covering state government, politics and issues. He has covered Albany since 2001.
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