Big Push To Fix Major NJ Travel Issue

NEW JERSEY — New Jersey has launched a new program to help residents obtain a REAL ID since the May 7 enforcement deadline has passed.

The New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission said it will launch "REAL ID Tuesdays." Beginning May 20, approximately 5,200 additional REAL ID appointments will be added at NJMVC Licensing Centers. This will continue every other Tuesday going forward, officials said.

Appointments for “REAL ID Tuesdays” will be available for booking on the NJMVC’s appointment scheduler.

In an analysis released before the enforcement deadline, CBS News found that only 17 percent of New Jerseyans had obtained the identification required for domestic air travel and to enter certain federal buildings, less than any other state.

RELATED: NJ's Looming Real ID 'Disaster' Avoidable, Official Says

According to MVC data, New Jersey has issued more than 1.4 million REAL ID-compliant licenses and IDs. The state also has one of the highest percentages of residents with passports, meaning a large number of New Jerseyans already have a document that is REAL ID compliant.

"The New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission has been working nonstop to help as many eligible New Jerseyans as possible obtain a REAL ID. Demand is very high right now and our challenges are not unique to New Jersey," Motor Vehicle Commission spokesperson William Connolly said.

What is a REAL ID and who needs one?

The REAL ID law, passed in 2005 in response to the Sept 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, strengthens national security standards for state-issued driver’s licenses and identification cards.

REAL ID was originally supposed to take effect in 2008 but has been delayed for multiple reasons, including those associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Federal agencies, including the TSA, began REAL ID enforcement on May 7. Agencies may choose to phase in enforcement, but TSA officials have been urging people to upgrade their licenses sooner rather than later "to facilitate a smooth transition."

Garden State residents who are 18 and older must now show a REAL ID, a passport or another form of federally approved identification to board domestic flights or enter certain federal buildings when enforcement begins.

The REAL ID is similar to a regular state identification card or driver's license, but has a small star in the upper right-hand corner.

The REAL ID Act of 2005 does not affect those who only need their ID for driving purposes or identification, and does not apply to those under 18.

Getting a REAL ID is not mandatory and one can still be obtained after the enforcement date. If you don't have a REAL ID by the enforcement deadline, a passport or valid U.S. passport card can still be used to fly domestically and internationally or enter certain federal buildings.

What do I need to get a REAL ID?

First, you need to make an appointment through the NJ MVC Appointment Scheduler.

Meanwhile, those who need to renew their license or non-driver ID in the next three months have plenty of appointments to choose from.

The MVC said it has been adding about 3,500 new appointments in the online scheduler every morning to accommodate the "historically high" demand for services. The agency also scheduled several REAL ID Mobile Unit events on Saturdays and launched dedicated "REAL ID Thursdays."

Recently, the MVC announced the launch of a REAL ID Emergency Issuance Program for qualified customers.

To get a REAL ID in New Jersey, you must bring two proofs of residential address, one proof of Social Security Number and six points of ID (a U.S. Passport or birth certificate counts for four points; one-point forms of ID include a high school diploma, social security card, bank/credit union statement, debit card, property tax statement and more).

A REAL ID is $35, while a standard New Jersey license or ID is $24.