Come spring 2019, New Jersey residents will be compelled to take a trip to one of the community's favorite gathering places: the motor vehicle commission office.

Starting next spring, the state motor vehicle commission will begin rolling out updates to driver's licenses to comply with Real ID, a set of standards set by Congress after the 9/11 terror attacks. The new standards will update security features on licenses and identification cards, specifically for people who tend to fly commercially.

What is a Real ID?

It's not exactly a type of ID card as much as it is the standards the IDs need to adhere to.

In 2005, Congress passed a law that set standards for IDs, including driver's licenses. The law set security standards for state-issued driver's licenses and ID cards, which will force some states to make changes if they didn't already meet those standards. Creating a more secure, less easily duplicated ID card is the latest step in conforming to the law.

"Real ID is the new federal standard for identification with enhanced security," said Sue Fulton, chief administrator of the state motor vehicle commission. "It’s stricter standards for the identification as well as stricter standards for the ID itself."

When will the updates begin?

New Jersey is one of the states that has yet to comply with the Real ID standards. The state plans to begin issuing Real ID licenses and ID cards next spring, though there are no specific dates yet, Fulton said.

The roll-out will be a phased process, starting in a handful of MVC offices before being implemented in all 39 agencies, she said.

Who are Real IDs for?

The updates are for people who use their driver's license instead of a passport or other forms of ID to fly commercially on domestic flights, Fulton said. The upgrades are also for people who need to access federal facilities that require identification.

But, if you use your passport to fly, even domestically, you can opt not to update your driver's license and avoid visiting the MVC office, Fulton said.

Come Oct. 2020, without the updated driver's licenses and ID cards, travelers will not be allowed past an airport security checkpoint.

Luckily, you don't need the updated IDs to do stuff like vote or register to vote (though you missed your deadline a week ago), to be licensed to drive and to access hospitals or health clinics.

Why now?

The roll-out is planned ahead of the Oct. 1, 2020 deadline set by the law, at which time people who used their driver's license to fly commercially on domestic flights will no longer be able to without updating, Fulton said.

"If you’re like me and your license doesn’t expire until 2022 but you want to use that Real ID to fly, I have to come sometime before Oct. 2020 and get that Real ID," Fulton said. "It’s the same process, but I’ll have to make a special trip to do it."

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What's different about Real ID?

Driver's licenses and ID cards that comply with Real ID standards will have standard security features like your full name, signature, date of birth, address and a front-facing photograph.

But, to distinguish the old from the new, the commission may mark new, compliant licenses with a gold star, Fulton said. Driver's licenses that have not been updated will include the words "Not for 'Real ID' purposes," to help TSA officials identify non-compliant IDs.

How do I update my license?

Here's the bad news: you have to go to your local Motor Vehicle Commission office in person to update your driver's license.

"In order to get your first Real ID, you have to physically come to the agency," Fulton said.

Although the state's ID verification for updating driver's licenses won't change, there will likely be more documents needed for the stricter Real IDs, Fulton said. A list of the specific documents needed has not been released yet, but the commission plans to create a website with that information, she said.

But, unlike before, the commission will now be scanning those documents to create a database. The commission will retain the scans, but not the original documents. This process will likely take extra time and cause jam-ups, Fulton said.

Is there any hope in the MVC office?

Other states that have already implemented Real ID have experienced long lines and wait times at offices already known for their slowness. The state motor vehicle commission expects three to four times as many transactions next year compared to previous years.

But, the commission has plans to facilitate the harrowing process. To cut down on people visiting their offices, the commission plans to make updates and applications for standard driver's licenses an online process. It also plans to allow users to replace lost IDs online, as well.

"There will definitely be a significant increase in volume in our agencies," Fulton said. "What we’re trying to do is get out ahead with improvements to make lines move faster and provide online options."

Email: torrejon@northjersey.com

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