EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — The California Department of Motor Vehicles announced Tuesday that a select number of offices across SoCal will be open May 3 for REAL ID appointments.
Six locations will be opened from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. to accommodate people looking to get their REAL ID before the federal deadline on May 7. Although the enforcement begins then, state residents can still continue to apply after May 7.
The following locations will be open on that Saturday, according to the DMV.
- Fullerton — 909 W. Valencia Drive
- Glendale — 1335 W. Glenoaks Blvd.
- San Clemente — 2727 Via Cascadita
- Riverside East — 6425 Sycamore Canyon Blvd.
- Thousand Oaks — 1810 E. Avenida De Los Arboles
- West Covina — 800 S. Glendora Ave.
DMV Director Steve Gordon said in a statement that if you already have a current U.S. passport or don’t have any plans to fly within the U.S., then you can wait to get your REAL ID when your license is up for renewal.
The REAL ID Act requires people flying within the U.S. to show their REAL IDs or U.S. passport to board domestic flights or enter federal facilities.
State residents can visit REALID.dmv.ca.gov to apply for a REAL ID and to upload their documents. The DMV encourages people to upload the required documents online before visiting an office to save time.
After the deadlines, TSA will no longer accept state issued IDs that are not REAL IDs at TSA security checkpoints.
“All airline passengers 18 years and older, including TSA PreCheck members, must present REAL ID-compliant identification or another acceptable ID, such as a passport, at TSA security checkpoints. Noncitizens illegally present in the U.S. who are voluntarily self-deporting on international flights will not be denied boarding under this requirement," TSA said in a news release.
If you show ID that is not a REAL ID at airports, TSA said to expect to face delays and additional screening, with the chance of not being allowed into the security checkpoint.