Limited appointments, hour-long lines: Real ID deadline looms in WA
Apr 21, 2025, 7:35 AM | Updated: 10:26 am
A lobby full of people wait for their numbers to be called at the Bureau of Motor Vehicles. (Photo: Brianna Soukup, Getty Images)
(Photo: Brianna Soukup, Getty Images)
With approximately 20-40% of U.S. travelers still lacking proper identification, according to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), Washington residents are heading to local Department of Licensing (DOL) offices in droves.
May 7 is the deadline for citizens to get their Real ID鈥攁 federally compliant form of identification, such as a driver’s license or state ID, that meets specific federal security standards.
“Without it, you won鈥檛 be able to get on a plane or visit many federal buildings, like courthouses or military bases,” Chris Sullivan, traffic reporter for 成人X站 Newsradio, said. “A Washington driver鈥檚 license is not acceptable because our state doesn鈥檛 require proof of citizenship or other information.”
Washington’s enhanced driver鈥檚 license qualifies as a Real ID.
The original deadline for Real ID compliance was set for October 2020, but it was postponed multiple times due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It is not a strategy to come to the airport on May 7 or moving forward without an acceptable form of ID, because you’re going to find the delays will be significant,” Lorie Dankers, a TSA spokesperson, stated.
Real ID appointments becoming harder and harder to get
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As flocks of people attempt to get their Real ID by the deadline, a shortage of appointments is occurring nationwide.
Illinois set up a Real ID-only walk-in “supercenter” in Chicago in order to handle the large demand for appointments. New York restricted its DMVs to county-only residents to deal with its demand. According to the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission, approximately 3,500 appointments are added daily for Real ID upgrades.
Hours-long waits that wrap around blocks have been reported at DMVs in multiple states, including Illinois, Tennessee, and Pennsylvania, the Wall Street Journal .
Washingtonians can still walk into any location and wait, but walk-ins will likely take a while.
“If you鈥檙e not seeing an appointment and you waited to the last minute, you can also still walk into one of our offices,” DOL’s Thomas Charlson told MyNorthwest. “I鈥檇 suggest there, to also plan ahead. We do have estimated wait times on our website that give you an idea of how long it鈥檚 going to be to get into the office.”
The best option could be standing outside the office as soon as it opens. Getting your name on that walk-in list early will likely save you several hours.
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