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

NEW JERSEY — With just over a week to go before REAL ID enforcement begins, a Republican lawmaker blasted New Jersey officials after an analysis showed the Garden State has the lowest compliance rate in the nation.

In a statement released by the New Jersey Assembly GOP, Assemblywoman Nancy Muñoz called the state's last-place status a "predictable disaster that should have been avoided with basic leadership and planning."

“We’ve known for years that this deadline was coming. There’s no excuse for the Motor Vehicle Commission to be this unprepared,” Muñoz told Fox News Digital on Friday. “Bureaucrats had plenty of time to plan, and yet the system is failing the very people it’s supposed to serve. Where’s the urgency? Where’s the accountability?”

Last week, an analysis conducted by CBS News from April 7 to 18 found that at least 16 states are less than 50 percent REAL ID compliant, while 28 states are less than 70 percent compliant.

According to the analysis, just 17 percent of New Jerseyans have obtained the identification that will soon be required for domestic air travel and to enter certain federal buildings.

Meanwhile, demand remains high for in-person appointments at the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission as the REAL ID deadline approaches. As of Tuesday morning, most MVC locations showed no availability for non-renewal appointments.

In her statement, Muñoz called on officials to address the low compliance rate by implementing measures such as extending MVC office hours into nights and weekends and launching emergency pop-up events to process large groups of residents quickly.

“It’s not too late to fix this, but the excuses need to end,” Muñoz said. “The people of New Jersey deserve a government that shows up when it matters, not one that makes it harder for them to drive, travel and live their lives.”

According to MVC data, New Jersey has issued 1,420,556 REAL ID-compliant licenses and IDs, as marked by the star at top right corner, and 6,639,459 standard licenses and IDs, labeled as “‘Not for REAL ID’ Purposes,” which are issued if a REAL ID is not requested, or if the applicant is not eligible.

According to the MVC, New Jersey 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 — every state in the nation is facing similar pressures as enforcement approaches," New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission spokesperson William Connolly said.

He continued, "The NJMVC has launched many initiatives to expand access to REAL ID and is currently issuing approximately 23,000 REAL IDs per week. We remain focused on delivering efficient service and ensuring that every eligible New Jerseyan who needs or wants a REAL ID can secure one."

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. States’ lack of urgency is also to blame, according to testimony at a late December 2023 Homeland Security Subcommittee on Transportation and Maritime Security hearing.

Federal agencies, including the TSA, will begin 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."

Starting May 7, Garden State residents who are 18 and older must 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.

While the enforcement deadline is May 7, getting a REAL ID is not mandatory and one can still be obtained after that 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 MVC, though most locations are showing limited or no availability for non-renewal appointments as of Friday morning.

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."

Most 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.