AMTRAK and Real IDs

[jiml]

Ironically our version of Real ID was recently discontinued here. It's been around for a few years, but failed to gain any real interest versus passports. It allowed driving and water admission to the US, just as the American equivalent from Washington State, Minnesota, South Dakota, Michigan, New York, or Vermont allows holders into Canada. Unfortunately it didn't help with flying and the cost brought a drivers' license close to the cost of a passport. Getting a passport here rates about a C on the PITA report card, renewing one by mail about a B and I equate a trip to our DMV on the same level as going to the dentist.

 

[Qapla]

There was no price change here for the cost of a DL when they went to the Real ID ... the time/experience at DMV is dependant on the office you go to.

 

[Bob Dylan]

DMV Offices seem to vary greatly, even in the same States.

Here in Austin ( The Texas DMV is part of the Department of Public Safety which includes the State Highway Patrol) there are several offices , but appointments are not available and when you arrive you take a Computer Generated Number and take a Seat till your number is called.

They are using the same antiquated system with 50 year old technology, that I expierenced when I got my Drivers License as a 14 year old in 1958!!

Since it's a State Agency, the Operating Hours are rigidly enforced, ie Monday- Friday/8AM-430PM, Closed on 14 State and Federal Holidays..

No matter what day or time you visit, parking is hard to find,and the average wait is 1-2 Hours since Austin is growing by 5-6,000 People a month.

State Law gives you 6 months to obtain a State Drivers License or ID ( required to Vote which requires another Card obtained @ a different office with a similar MO)with Proof of Texas Drivers Insurance.

In my many years of Government Service, and dealing with Agencies, the DMV here takes First Place for the Worst expierence I've ever had dealing with such places including the IRS and the VA!!

On the other hand, once I had my initial Passport ( issued in Washington DC in 2 Hours), I've been able to renew it via Mail by sending my old Passport and the Renewal Form along with two Photos and the Required Fee to Houston and getting it within 1-2 weeks..

 

[daybeers]

Austin is growing by 5-6k people per month? [emoji50]

 

[Bob Dylan]

Yep, it's like they've discovered Gold or Oil, suddenly everyone wants to come to Austin!!!

The Greater Austin SMSA lists the Population @ 1 1/2 Million, with the Projection that it will Double by 2030 to 3 Million!

 

[adamj023]

Texas and Florida are growing in population. New York has been declining in total population statewide as per the census.

 

[gswager]

When I used to live in New Mexico, everyone are talking about MVD with snail speed. You'll have to bring 2 billings/paycheck to show proof of residence, notarized birth certificate, social security card, and a filled out application. A lot of them weren't prepared for that. Plus MVD (same version of DMV) have to copy all paperwork! Waiting line is too long, even people showed up at the door 45 minutes before open.

In Idaho, it's a breeze! Well, that is in small town with line less than 15 minutes. I'll need to bring my passport to upgrade my license next year.

 

[Devil's Advocate]

Texas and Florida are growing in population. New York has been declining in total population statewide as per the census.

Texas is growing but we've painted ourselves into an ideological corner. Many Texans don't want more Californians to come here, but we also refuse to change anything that might dissuade the influx. In fact we continue to promote and enshrine the benefits that bring them here in the first place. Which means more and more are on the way each and every day. I'm liberal for a Texan but conservative for a Californian and I think a bit of cross pollination might be beneficial to balance out some of the nuttier stuff.

 

[AmtrakWPK]

But would the SS office accept a current passport instead?

If you want real circular farce, when I went to get my "Real-ID" FL DL, I needed my SS Card, and couldn't find it, which meant I had to get a replacement. So what did the Social Security office require for ID? My NON-REAL-ID FL DL that supposedly isn't any good as ID. So the FL DL that FL doesn't accept as ID without the SS Card was sufficient ID for Social Security to issue me a duplicate SS Card with which to get a REAL-ID FL DL. Maybe that will change in 2020. I also have a Passport, but the Social Security office didn't require it. Go Figure. And may the Farce be with you.

 

[Bob Dylan]

If you want real circular farce, when I went to get my "Real-ID" FL DL, I needed my SS Card, and couldn't find it, which meant I had to get a replacement. So what did the Social Security office require for ID? My NON-REAL-ID FL DL that supposedly isn't any good as ID. So the FL DL that FL doesn't accept as ID without the SS Card was sufficient ID for Social Security to issue me a duplicate SS Card with which to get a REAL-ID FL DL. Maybe that will change in 2020. I also have a Passport, but the Social Security office didn't require it. Go Figure. And may the Farce be with you.

Down the Rabbit Hole with Alice!

 

[Richard Hill]

Real ID will be necessary, in the US, after May 7, 2025 for all domestic airline flights. It was suppose to happen in Oct. of 2020, but COVID an bureaucratic lethargy caused the deadline to be rescheduled.

https://is.gd/ej0u2V

I can't help wondering if Amtrak will also, eventually, require Real ID for boarding. I got Real ID in early 2020. I believe I submitted a passport number among other documents to show US citizenship and that I reside in the US. I hoped that Real ID could have other uses. For example, to be acceptable ID for crossing the border into Canada without the need for a passport.

 

[Septa9739]

I don’t think that will happen. If it does, it will take decades. Right now you can walk right up to a ticket counter and half the time they will spell your name wrong or not ask for a dob.

 

[MARC Rider]

Real ID will be necessary, in the US, after May 7, 2025 for all domestic airline flights. It was suppose to happen in Oct. of 2020, but COVID an bureaucratic lethargy caused the deadline to be rescheduled.

https://is.gd/ej0u2V

I can't help wondering if Amtrak will also, eventually, require Real ID for boarding. I got Real ID in early 2020. I believe I submitted a passport number among other documents to show US citizenship and that I reside in the US. I hoped that Real ID could have other uses. For example, to be acceptable ID for crossing the border into Canada without the need for a passport.

Getting real ID in Maryland was a pain in the neck. You needed a birth certificate or passport, your social security card or a W2 form with the social security number, plus 2 documents not your old driver's license that showed you resided in Marylad, like a state tax recept or utility bill. I was in my late 60s, my social security card had disappeared into the mists of time and the 1099 forms I get from my pension don't show my full SSN. I actually had to apply to social security to get a new card, which is kind of like getting a root canal without novacaine. And it's funny, because being on the Civil Service retirement system means I don't qualify for any social security benefits.

Well, now I have it, and my Real ID driver's license is good until 2029. Hope I don't have to go through that ringomorole again.

 

[jis]

Getting real ID in Maryland was a pain in the neck. You needed a birth certificate or passport, your social security card or a W2 form with the social security number, plus 2 documents not your old driver's license that showed you resided in Marylad, like a state tax recept or utility bill. I was in my late 60s, my social security card had disappeared into the mists of time and the 1099 forms I get from my pension don't show my full SSN. I actually had to apply to social security to get a new card, which is kind of like getting a root canal without novacaine. And it's funny, because being on the Civil Service retirement system means I don't qualify for any social security benefits.

Well, now I have it, and my Real ID driver's license is good until 2029. Hope I don't have to go through that ringomorole again.

Subsequent DL renewals have tended to happen by the internet. Apparently not too many people’s identity changes that drastically in five years.

 

[alanh]

I don't ride that often, but I've never had an ID check on Amtrak.

For a RealID in Arizona you need one of

• Birth certificate
• Passport
• Immigration documents (naturalization, green card, etc.)

Your SSN (but the physical card is not required), and two bills/bank statements/insurance policy/government documents with your name and address on them.

Note that if you have a passport you can just use that instead of RealID.

 

[AmtrakBlue]

Subsequent DL renewals have tended to happen by the internet. Apparently not too many people’s identity changes that drastically in five years.

I renewed my DL at a kiosk at the DMV.

 

[PVD]

Real ID will be necessary, in the US, after May 7, 2025 for all domestic airline flights. It was suppose to happen in Oct. of 2020, but COVID an bureaucratic lethargy caused the deadline to be rescheduled.

https://is.gd/ej0u2V

I can't help wondering if Amtrak will also, eventually, require Real ID for boarding. I got Real ID in early 2020. I believe I submitted a passport number among other documents to show US citizenship and that I reside in the US. I hoped that Real ID could have other uses. For example, to be acceptable ID for crossing the border into Canada without the need for a passport.

Real ID is not acceptable for crossing the border because it is available to anyone legally present in the US (with a few minor exceptions) It does not necessarily give one the right to enter another country. Lets say you were here on a work visa, you can get a date range real DL but any foreign travel would have to be on the passport of your country of permanent residence or citizenship. An enhanced DL which is only issued to a citizen is WHTI acceptable for land/sea entry.

 

[NYP2NFL01]

Here in NY State they have the Enhanced ID, which is supposed to be Real ID compliant.

 

[Amtrak25]

Real ID will be necessary, in the US, after May 7, 2025 for all domestic airline flights. It was suppose to happen in Oct. of 2020, but COVID an bureaucratic lethargy caused the deadline to be rescheduled.

https://is.gd/ej0u2V

I can't help wondering if Amtrak will also, eventually, require Real ID for boarding. I got Real ID in early 2020. I believe I submitted a passport number among other documents to show US citizenship and that I reside in the US. I hoped that Real ID could have other uses. For example, to be acceptable ID for crossing the border into Canada without the need for a passport.

A Passport card and an ordinary driver license is good enough. No need for Real ID. So says DMV at the NYS Fair in Syracuse.

 

[jis]

A Passport card and an ordinary driver license is good enough. No need for Real ID. So says DMV at the NYS Fair in Syracuse.

Passport Card is more powerful than any plain RealID document. It is a Passport for use at terrestrial border crossing of USA. Can’t be used at airports IIRC. I have used a Passport Card at Rouse’s Point all by itself.

 

[Devil's Advocate]

And may the Farce be with you.

These days whatever ID you carry is more of a database link than a self-verifying document.

Real ID will be necessary, in the US, after May 7, 2025 for all domestic airline flights.

You can still fly domestically with no documentation at all, and I doubt the move to Real ID will change that for the simple fact that it's super tedious and time consuming to deal with a State "A" documentation problem inside the borders of State "B" and the vast majority of states share DL data with each other.

I hoped that Real ID could have other uses. For example, to be acceptable ID for crossing the border into Canada without the need for a passport.

Everything I've seen implies that future border crossings will rely on biometric markers and database sharing. The proliferation of nuisance tourists and intentionally offensive vloggers like "Johnny Somali" have been drawing attention to the downside of granting entire populations easy access to countries unfamiliar with rampant idiocy. If you have no criminal history future entry may be faster but if you do have a history it will follow you everywhere forever.

Link: https://www.cnn.com/2024/11/27/asia/johnny-somali-prison-south-korea-hnk/index.html

 

[Deni]

A passport card is a Real ID, you won't need your driver's license to accompany it if you are using it as ID for a domestic flight. There is no need to get your DL set up as a Real ID if you have a passport card and/or passport book.

 

[Deni]

You can still fly domestically with no documentation at all, and I doubt Real ID will change that for the simple fact that it's super tedious and time consuming to deal with a State "A" documentation problem inside the borders of State "B" and the vast majority of states share DL data with each other.

I don't understand you making this statement. You absolutely need and government issued ID with a name and birthdate that matches your air ticket to board a domestic flight.

And Real ID will change that because a DL without Real ID will not be accepted to board a flight or enter certain federal facilities.

 

[Amtrak25]

Passport Card is more powerful than any plain RealID document. It is a Passport for use at terrestrial border crossing of USA. Can’t be used at airports IIRC. I have used a Passport Card at Rouse’s Point all by itself.

So have I, and both the train and bus crossings. Little less time too with the agent not flipping through Passport book pages looking for stamps.

BTW, the Rouses Pt highway and I assume Adirondack train crossing is closed as of Jan 5 between 8pm and 8am.

https://www.wwnytv.com/2025/01/06/reductions-border-hours-take-effect/?outputType=amp

 

[AmtrakBlue]

Passport Card is more powerful than any plain RealID document. It is a Passport for use at terrestrial border crossing of USA. Can’t be used at airports IIRC. I have used a Passport Card at Rouse’s Point all by itself.

It can be used for domestic flights. But not for international flights.