GAITHERSBURG, MD — Seven Motor Vehicle Administration branches, including one in Gaithersburg, are offering extended business hours, as more Marylanders apply for a federal REAL ID.

The extended hours will affect the Baltimore City, Easton, Essex, Frederick, Gaithersburg, and Westminster MVA branches. The offices will serve customers from:

8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Tuesdays

8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturdays Additionally, the Loveville branch in St. Mary's County, which is typically closed on Saturdays, will be open from 8 a.m. to noon. These hours are for driver's license services only. The additional service hours will continue through Tuesday, July 2.



THE MVA has already added more than 860 appointments to its weekly schedule during the extended hours, according to officials. "We appreciate how precious our customers' time is," said MDOT MVA Administrator Chrissy Nizer. "We are pleased to offer these extended hours in several locations across the state. MDOT MVA has more than 3,000 appointments available statewide each day. We encourage customers will take advantage of the opportunity to make an appointment with a guarantee to be seen in 15 minutes of the scheduled appointment time."



While REAL IDs are optional and are not needed to drive or vote, Marylanders must have one to board a domestic commercial flight and to enter federal government facilities. The change goes into effect on Oct. 1, 2020.

The federal REAL ID Act was passed by Congress after the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. It requires residents to bring in documentation of identification, social security, and two documents proving a Maryland residential address.