DHS offers some relief to those who still haven't gotten REAL ID

The Coney Island DMV was flooded with people on Tuesday. Visitors News 12 spoke with say they waited in long lines and experienced technical issues leaving many angry.

Valerie Ryan and Edric Robinson

May 6, 2025, 11:23 AM

Updated 22 hr ago

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Kristi Noem, the head of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, announced that travelers will still be able to fly for now, even without a REAL ID.
Noem says travelers who are flying Wednesday but don't have their REAL ID yet will still be able to fly. However, travelers can anticipate extra security steps while at the airport and will likely be diverted to a different line.
The Coney Island DMV was flooded with people on Tuesday. Visitors News 12 spoke with say they waited in long lines and experienced technical issues leaving many angry.
"Very frustrating. The most frustrating experience. Everything is disorganized. Nobody knows what to do. All of a sudden, the computers just froze. I'm not even done. I haven't gotten anything processed. I got my photo and that was it," said Frances Pam, a woman with a scheduled appointment.
The REAL IDis a federally compliant form of identification, intended to be implemented in 2008 but was continuously delayed.
Now, it's required to travel domestically and enter some federal facilities.
Right now, all DMV's are requiring appointments to get a REAL ID, but there is still some wiggle room for travelers. A REAL ID is not required to drive or vote.