BETHLEHEM, Pa. — The state transportation department’s Driver and Vehicle services administers Pennsylvania’s 10.1 million driver’s licenses and IDs — including REAL IDs.
And it wants you to know you’re running out of time to get one before the upcoming enforcement deadline.
And if you’ve waited this long, you’re probably going to stand in line, PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll said during a virtual media update Tuesday.
“I want to warn everybody there are a lot of procrastinators out there."PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll
So far, about 26% of Pennsylvania drivers have a REAL ID, or about 2.6 million people. But it means almost 75% have not gotten a REAL ID, Carroll said.
“I want to warn everybody there are a lot of procrastinators out there, and our driver's license centers are having real serious issues with lines and people showing up before they even open."
That was the case at the Lehigh Valley Driver License Center in Allentown early Tuesday, where a line had formed around 8 a.m., despite gusty winds and chilly temperatures — and the building opening at 8:30 a.m.
'Best possible customer service'
A federal law requiring a REAL ID or passport to board domestic flights or enter certain facilities goes into effect May 7, and Carroll said PennDOT is “being very aggressive” in opening driver centers to get applications processed ahead of the enforcement deadline.
“PennDOT is committed to making it as convenient as possible for Pennsylvanians to obtain a REAL ID if they want one. Because we’re seeing an increase in demand, we decided to offer our REAL ID Days as a way to ensure we are meeting the needs of the public and providing them with the best possible customer service.”Kara Templeton, state transportation deputy secretary for driver and vehicle services
To that end, additional REAL ID Days will take place three Mondays in April and the first Monday in May, beginning with events at 57 driver license centers from 8:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. on Monday, April 7.
According to PennDOT, previous events have proven popular, with more than 7,600 people being assisted at previous REAL ID days.
“PennDOT is committed to making it as convenient as possible for Pennsylvanians to obtain a REAL ID if they want one,” Kara Templeton, deputy secretary for driver and vehicle services, said in a release.
“Because we’re seeing an increase in demand, we decided to offer our REAL ID Days as a way to ensure we are meeting the needs of the public and providing them with the best possible customer service.”
The Lehigh Valley has an advantage
While there are dozens of driver license centers across the Commonwealth, not all of them have the ability to process and issue a REAL ID at the time of service.
But the Lehigh Valley has one location with that advantage. The Whitehall Driver License Center at 1101 MacArthur Road is one place you can apply for and get your REAL ID the same day.
“PennDOT’s team is really skillful at processing these applications. But because so many people have waited until the last minute, you’ll have to bring your patience.”State Transportation Secretary Mike Carroll
At all other centers, documents must be verified and imaged, and REAL IDs are sent by mail within 15 business days.
That includes the Lehigh Valley Driver License Center at 1710 Hoover Avenue in Hanover Township, Lehigh County, and the Easton Driver License Center at 2473 Nazareth Road in Northampton County.
The Easton location has been added to the list of all upcoming REAL ID events after previously only being listed for one additional event.
Another advantage? The REAL ID Days will be held on Mondays, when centers typically are closed. That means they will exclusively process REAL IDs only during these events.
“PennDOT’s team is really skillful at processing these applications," Carroll said. "But because so many people have waited until the last minute, you’ll have to bring your patience.”
No ceremonial documents allowed
Carroll said some of the issues people are having during the application process have contributed to the long lines.
For example, some people are bringing ceremonial documents rather than official documents when they apply for REAL ID.
“If you’ve had a name change, it’s important that you have documents showing that name change,” Carroll said.
“You need an actual document issued by the county or commonwealth, not a ceremonial document.”
“The trade off of waiting until the last minute is spending more time at the driver center."State Transportation Secretary Mike Carroll
Overall, Carroll said the volume of applicants “is an increased sign people understand the deadline is approaching. But human nature dictates a lot of folks wait until the last minute, so lines have been longer than they have been.”
“The tradeoff of waiting until the last minute is spending more time at the driver center,” he said.
While enforcement on REAL ID is slated to begin May 7, people still can get a REAL ID after the deadline, he said, emphasizing that REAL ID products now are a permanent part of PennDOT’s services.
“But I hope people take advantage of this opportunity,” he said. “It would be a shame for anyone to show up with a purchased airline ticket and be turned away by TSA because they don’t have a REAL ID or passport."
That's especially important if you’ve already bought an airline ticket, he said.
“I don’t want to see any Pennsylvanians show up without a REAL ID for fear they get turned away," he said.
“Whether TSA takes any additional steps to allow people to board an aircraft [without REAL ID] after May 7, that’s a question for TSA."
