DC Residents Can Now Obtain Real ID Driver’s Licenses
Starting today, residents of the District of Columbia can now apply for the new Real ID driver’s licenses. The Real ID Act was passed by Congress in 2005, establishing security standards for state-issued driver’s licenses and identification cards. The purpose of the Real ID program is to enhance the security of driver’s licenses and identification cards, making them more difficult to counterfeit or tamper with.
In order to obtain a Real ID driver’s license in DC, residents will need to provide several forms of documentation to prove their identity, date of birth, Social Security number, and residency. Acceptable forms of documentation include a birth certificate or valid passport, Social Security card, and two proofs of residency such as a utility bill or lease agreement.
The new Real ID driver’s licenses will feature a star in the upper right-hand corner, indicating that the license is compliant with the Real ID Act. This star will be necessary for residents to board domestic flights and enter federal facilities starting October 1, 2020. Without a Real ID driver’s license or other approved form of identification, residents may be unable to access certain federal facilities or board domestic flights.
The process of obtaining a Real ID driver’s license in DC is relatively straightforward, but residents are encouraged to start the process as soon as possible to avoid any potential delays. The DC Department of Motor Vehicles has expanded hours at several locations to accommodate the increased demand for Real ID driver’s licenses.
Many residents are welcoming the new Real ID driver’s licenses, seeing them as a necessary step to enhance security and prevent identity theft. However, some have expressed concerns about the additional documentation required and the potential for long wait times at the DMV.
Overall, the introduction of Real ID driver’s licenses in DC represents a positive step towards improving the security and integrity of identification documents. Residents are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the requirements for obtaining a Real ID driver’s license and begin the process as soon as possible to ensure they are in compliance by the October 1, 2020 deadline.
