REAL ID Deadline Sparks DMV Turmoil and Social Media Rants as Americans Scramble

The clock is ticking: In less than three weeks, the long-awaited—and for some, dreaded—REAL ID requirement will officially kick in. This means if you want to board a domestic flight, you’ll need a REAL ID or an approved alternative like a valid U.S. passport, a Global Entry card, or a Department of Defense ID. So, no more showing up at the airport with that crumpled old driver's license and hoping for the best.

But while the deadline might be clear, getting an appointment at the DMV? Not so much. As of Friday morning in New Jersey, the DMV website boldly declared "0 appointments available" for REAL ID services, leaving hopeful travelers refreshing their browsers and, no doubt, reaching for their stress snacks.

Curiously, there are still thousands of open spots for non-driver IDs and license transfers, but when it comes to REAL ID, it’s a digital ghost town. To ease the crunch, DMVs around the country have started rolling out Saturday events and longer appointment hours—because nothing says weekend fun like waiting in line at the DMV.

If your license is up for renewal, you might be in luck—there are over 51,000 appointments available for those looking to upgrade. Still, with the deadline looming, many are finding the process less than seamless.

The TSA isn’t budging on the deadline, either. Daniel Velez, spokesperson for TSA New England, confirmed that enforcement will begin May 7, a Wednesday, which he pointed out is one of the quieter travel days. Airports are prepping for possible confusion and delays, though officials are promising that hiccups should be "few and far between." We'll see how optimistic that sounds come deadline day.

On social media, the REAL ID rollout is sparking its own brand of chaos. Some users are downplaying the fuss—"It’s literally just a regular ID with a star on it," one person wrote—but others are more exasperated, lamenting the struggle to find appointments and questioning why this process is so complicated in 2025.

One particularly creative commenter suggested pitching a tent on the DMV’s lawn and camping out for an appointment, while another described REAL IDs as "an insult to every American citizen." There’s even been some finger-pointing at states, with frustrated users reminding everyone that governments have had 25 years to get this sorted out. As always, social media pulls no punches.

Some travelers seem unfazed—"I’ve had one for four years. Didn’t even know it was an issue," shared one. Others are already resigned to using passports for their next trip, if only to avoid another DMV visit. Former congressman Ron Paul even called the REAL ID program a major threat to civil liberties, adding a dash of political heat to the mix.

Security experts, meanwhile, are advising the public to wait if they can. If you don’t have immediate travel plans, or if you already have a passport, booking an appointment after the deadline could be easier. Apparently, the post-deadline rush is expected to die down, making the DMV a little less of a battleground.

With roughly 90 million Americans still not holding a REAL ID, this is shaping up to be a major travel story. Whether you’re lining up at the DMV, dusting off your passport, or just watching the drama unfold online, it’s clear this federal deadline is about to leave its mark—star and all.