REAL ID Deadline Sparks DMV Rush in Some States, While Others Stay Chill

Lines are wrapping around the block at some DMVs as the deadline for REAL ID looms, while other states seem to be taking it easy. In Tennessee, Illinois, and Pennsylvania, would-be travelers are forming marathon-level queues outside DMVs, hoping to secure their new IDs before the May 7 cutoff. Some Tennessee DMVs are cranking out six-day workweeks just to keep up, with waits stretching well into summer.

On the West Coast, California is feeling the pressure too. Some DMV offices are opening an hour earlier for those who got a head start online—so if you’re a morning person, congrats, you’re finally getting rewarded.

Meanwhile, Florida seems to have cracked the code. Instead of the DMV hustle, locals in the Sunshine State can breeze through their tax collector’s office to get their REAL ID. According to Seminole County officials, only about 4,000 residents are left to comply—less than 1% of the population. Must be nice to skip the DMV drama entirely!

For those not keen on playing the waiting game, passport cards are being touted as a handy alternative. David Alwadish, CEO of ItsEasy.com, suggests these cards as a less stressful, more secure option—plus, they don’t have your address on them, so your home is safe from nosy strangers. That’s one less thing to worry about while standing in line, right?

The TSA is keeping the reminders coming: Starting May 7, 2025, you’ll need a REAL ID-compliant license or another approved form of ID to board a U.S. flight. Just look for the star in the upper right-hand corner of your ID. If you show up unprepared, expect some serious hold-ups at airport checkpoints. So, unless you’ve been dreaming of spending even more quality time at airport security, it’s probably time to check your wallet.