As summer travel ramps up, New Jersey residents are scrambling to get their REAL IDs before the May 7 deadline.
But when they visit the Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) website to make an appointment, many are met with a frustrating message: “No Appointments Available.”
While the MVC has been adding more appointments in response to the increased demand and offering emergency slots for residents with imminent travel plans and no passport, many residents are still left in limbo, unable to secure an appointment.
In response, Assembly Majority Leader Lou Greenwald has introduced legislation which would require the MVC to establish and administer an online application for REAL ID identification cards and licenses.
The REAL ID Act was passed by Congress in 2005 to enhance security standards for state-issued IDs, but the enforcement deadline has been pushed five times—initially due to state compliance challenges and more recently because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The most recent extension was announced in December 2022, moving the deadline from May 3, 2023, to May 7, 2025.
While residents can continue using their current driver’s licenses and IDs for most everyday purposes like driving or age verification, beginning May 7, individuals without a REAL ID or a passport will encounter new travel limitations, as TSA begins requiring them for domestic air travel.
Some states, like Pennsylvania, have already established online portals for residents to apply for a REAL ID, while others, like New York, allow residents to submit their documents online for pre-screening before going to an in-person appointment.
“There’s no reason, in the 21st century, that we should still be relying solely on in-person appointments,” said Majority Leader Greenwald (D-Burlington, Camden). “These appointments are time-consuming, often require residents to take off work or travel long distances, and a single forgotten document means starting the process all over again. We have heard from numerous constituents who are frustrated by the inability to get an appointment. This bill aims to alleviate that headache, increase compliance, and ensure no one is left facing unnecessary disruptions at the airport.”
A recent CBS survey identified New Jersey as the state with the lowest REAL ID compliance, with just 17% of residents having obtained a REAL ID.
Under the bill, the MVC would be required to establish an online process for New Jersey residents to apply for a REAL ID license or identification card. The MVC would accept electronically submitted copies of identity and lawful status documents. Once the MVC confirms the applicant has satisfied all the federal requirements, their application would be approved and processed, without the need for an in-person appointment.
Yes allow electronic copies of documents needed to verify identity so people have an easier time faking documents for an ID.
How about offering extended hours until 10pm and full Sunday hours until the backlog is resolved.
Also implement a digital driver’s license
The latest deadline was moved from May 23 to May 25! If people chose not to act till now they deserve the problems it causes. Remember, “ POOR PLANNING ON YOUR PART, DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN EMERGENCY ON MY PART!”
The state should stop requiring appointments and accept any walk-ins at ALL MVC offices!
Wrong Mr. Tepper I’ve searched online for over 5 months and NJ fails to give anywhere near enough appointments on any given day. They’ve made the problem, not the other way around. They enjoy making people miserable and love controlling everything. Democrats
To get a Regular or a Real drivers license you have to show the same documents for both- birth certificate, address, etc. Being as I already showed these documents when I got my last regular license I should be able to get a Real license just by showing my current license, no? The only difference between the two licenses is $11 more for the Real one. Sounds like the state just wants MORE MONEY. Total ripoff.
WEIRD THING: When trying to book a Real ID appointment, there is absolutely nothing available in the entire state of NJ, but when trying to book a learner’s permit appointment, there are plenty of openings all over the state. How complicated would it be to simply have the clerks that process permits, process the Real IDs? The problem is that no one in government knows how to think out of the box. I guess they are all just programmed to do their thing!
A new bill? What democrat came up with this genius idea? Yet another effort to come up with useless bills. No way I support this idea! One more way to make fake IDs… Bring the papers down in person and make all offices more available with personnel and longer hours to accommodate all the residents to process this new change… Otherwise, what is the purpose of this Real ID to begin with? Other than bring chaos and funnel more money out of the law abiding citizens! Disgraceful!