4 SD County DMVs Extend Hours To Help Residents Meet Real ID Deadline

SAN DIEGO, CA — Haven't gotten your Real ID yet? It's not too late to get the ball rolling ahead of the May 7 deadline.

From now until June 27, four Department of Motor Vehicles offices throughout San Diego County will open an hour early every day to help meet the rush of residents scheduling appointments to get the new travel identification card.

The following offices will offer the extra hour for Real ID appointments only:

• San Diego Clairemont (4375 Derrick Drive)
• San Marcos (590 Rancheros Drive)
• El Cajon (1450 Graves Ave.)
• Poway (13461 Community Road)

California officials are urging residents to get their Real IDs as soon as possible, especially if they plan to travel by air after May 7.

While there’s no penalty for missing the deadline, travelers without a Real ID — or another approved form of ID, like a passport — could face serious delays at airport security or not be able to travel at all.

"Passengers who present a state-issued identification that is not REAL ID compliant and who do not have another acceptable alternative (e.g., passport) can expect to face delays, additional screening and the possibility of not being permitted into the security checkpoint," according to a recent news release from TSA.

Appointments are filling up fast, so if you haven’t started the process yet, now’s the time. Make an appointment here.

Across the state, 18 DMV offices are opening early to accommodate the rush through late June.

“We’re excited to offer Californians earlier hours this spring and summer,” stated DMV Director Steve Gordon. “These additional appointments will make it easier than ever to obtain a REAL ID.”

READ MORE: A Big Change Is Coming To CA Air Travel — Are You Prepared?