New Yorkers will soon have an extra day to get their Real ID or Enhanced ID before a May federal deadline, as the state Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) has expanded its hours to include Saturday mornings and early afternoons starting next month.
The DMV will be open from 8 a.m. to 1 pm on Saturdays from April 5 to June 28 at 10 NYC and nearby county locations:
- Yonkers District Office
- Bronx District Office
- Harlem District Office
- Midtown District Office
- Richmond District Office
- Brooklyn Atlantic District Office
- Coney Island District Office
- College Point District Office
- Garden City District Office
- Medford District Office
However, the locations will only be open for New Yorkers who need to apply for the new REAL ID or Enhanced ID for the first time, or those who want to upgrade their current driver license, permit or non-driver to the new IDs.
DMV representatives said appointments should be made in advance. Saturday appointments will start to become available on March 22.
Do you need a Real ID?
The REAL ID Act will become enforceable starting May 7. The law will require everyone to show a REAL ID, Enhanced ID, passport or another form of federally compliant identification to board all domestic flights and to enter certain federal facilities.
So even if you are flying from New York to another U.S. state, you will need a passport or REAL ID or Enhanced ID.
According to state officials, the federal REAL ID Act establishes minimum security standards for state-issued driver licenses, permits and ID cards. Congress passed the act in 2005 in response to the September 11, 2001, terror attacks.
Meanwhile, last month, U.S. Attorney Pam Bondi announced legal action against NYS over a 2019 state law — known as the Green Light Law — that allows illegal immigrants to get state-issued driver licenses.
The licenses issued to undocumented New Yorkers under the Green Light Law are not for federal purposes. However, the REAL ID provides New Yorkers with access to domestic air travel and certain federal facilities.
“We want to make sure all New Yorkers are REAL ID compliant as soon as possible. That’s why beginning in April and continuing through June, we will be opening 10 downstate locations on Saturday mornings for REAL ID processing,” DMV Commissioner Mark Schroeder said.
How to get a REAL ID or Enhanced ID
The law requires New Yorkers to bring certain documents to the DMV to prove who they are and to have a new photograph taken before their REAL ID or Enhanced ID can be issued.
“I’m encouraging all New Yorkers to make your appointment today and to check out our online resources that can help you prepare your REAL ID application. We want every DMV visit to be one and done, whether you visit us on a Saturday or during the week.”
In addition to the REAL ID, which costs the same as renewing a standard license, the DMV offers an Enhanced ID for an additional $30 fee. This ID meets federal REAL ID standards and can be used as identification when returning to the United States by land or sea from Canada, Mexico and some countries in the Caribbean. A passport is also acceptable as a REAL ID-compliant document.
For more information about Real ID, visit the DMV website.
