WASHINGTON – As many Americans across the nation are rushing to obtain their REAL ID license, some are choosing to opt out – by either using their valid passport as their preferred form of ID for travel or waiting until their current driver’s license expires and then renewing it.
The REAL ID requirement takes effect on May 7, when Americans must have a new form of identification in order to fly domestically.
The costs of obtaining the identification vary from state to state. Costs also vary according to whether travelers are obtaining a first-time REAL ID or looking to renew their existing license.
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Other forms of identification that will be accepted in lieu of a REAL ID include a valid U.S. passport or passport card; DHS trusted traveler cards such as Global Entry; Department of Defense IDs; permanent resident cards; and border crossing cards.
With the deadline looming, Fox News Digital spoke this week with travelers and asked those who do not have or do not plan to get a REAL ID any time soon why they made that decision.
With the REAL ID deadline of May 7 looming just ahead, many Americans are choosing to use passports or are waiting until it’s time to renew their license. (Ashley J. DiMella/Fox News Digital)
At the Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA) in Washington, D.C., Lisa from Oregon said that it was a “financial decision” at this time.
Lisa (no last name shared) said she had not yet gotten a REAL ID to date “because it was an extra cost, and I knew that I would rather put that money toward the passport.”
She said that at a later date, she may decide to get a REAL ID.
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“When I’m traveling later, I’ll have to bring my passport and I may not want to do that for stateside travel,” she said.
Other forms of identification that will be accepted in lieu of a REAL ID include a valid U.S. passport or passport card; DHS trusted traveler cards such as Global Entry; Department of Defense IDs; permanent resident cards; and border crossing cards.
The costs of obtaining the identification vary from state to state. (Fox News)
Some states offer a reduced price for the REAL ID, such as California.
The Golden State’s DMV website says, “In certain circumstances, the fee may be waived or reduced.”
It adds, “You may be eligible to pay a reduced application fee for an original or renewal ID card if you meet income requirements for selected governmental or nonprofit assistance programs.”
It also notes that a “homeless person” may be eligible for a no-fee ID card.
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And “to qualify for a no-fee senior citizen ID card, you must be at least 62 years old,” according to California’s DMV.
Kelsey from Bloomington, Illinois, said she’d just arrived in D.C. She does not have a REAL ID, she said.
“I do not have a real ID yet because I have not made it to the DMV and our trip ends before May 7th, so I didn’t feel an urgency to do so,” she said.
