Americans are ditching the long REAL ID queues and using this alternative

The REAL ID requirement goes into effect in the United States on May 7th. Under this legislation, Americans will require a new form of identification to be able to fly domestically.

However, with the deadline nearing soon, people are facing long queues for getting a new REAL ID or even renewing their existing one. Additionally, the costs of the ID vary from state to state and also differ if you are getting a new ID or renewing the old one. In this case, Americans are ditching the efforts for REAL ID and using a new alternative.

Travellers are relying on other forms of identification that will be accepted in lieu of a REAL ID. These include a valid U.S. passport or passport card, DHS trusted traveller cards such as Global Entry, Department of Defense IDs, permanent resident cards and border crossing cards.


In an interview with Fox News Digital, Lisa from Oregon shared that not getting a REAL ID was a "financial decision" at the time. “it was an extra cost, and I knew that I would rather put that money toward the passport” shared Lisa.

Kelsey from Bloomington, Illinois, added that since she already has a passport, it made more financial sense to use it at the time. “My ID expires in November, so I plan on doing it all at once when I have to get one anyway,” she said.


Nick, from the same place, added that he normally travels with his passport and “don’t even use my ID.”

Lesley from California does own a REAL ID but shared the instance of her co-worker who had to rush to get a REAL ID for her work trip. “She didn’t have the REAL ID, so she had to go and see them [the DMV] and get the REAL ID, and it was about like a two-to-four-hour wait … It was in California,” she added.

While some DMVs have added special Saturday hours or extended weekday hours to accommodate REAL ID requests, others remain closed on the weekends.