Long lines form at Pittsburgh-area DMV as drivers make switch to Real ID
Pennsylvanians have just 57 days as of Monday before REAL ID enforcement begins in the Commonwealth.
Several DMVs held REAL ID events across the state on Monday to streamline the process for getting the new identification card.
At the driver's license center in New Kensington, hundreds of people showed up to get their REAL ID. At one point, the line was over an hour long to get inside the building.
"I figured I would have to wait but I would be sitting inside and not on a line outside," said Patti DeBiasse.
The big reason people showed up to get their REAL ID was the same for almost everyone.
"For travel, to make it easier," said Roberta Russo. "I have a passport, but they said you are going to need the REAL ID, so I am getting the REAL ID."
A REAL ID is a federally acceptable driver's license and photo ID that makes domestic air travel easier. It also allows for easier access into federal buildings or military bases.
It is not a requirement to have a REAL ID in Pennsylvania, and citizens will not be penalized for not having one.
If a Pennsylvania resident doesn't have a REAL ID after May 7, 2025, they must bring additional documentation to board domestic flights or enter a federal installation.
Getting a REAL ID costs $30, plus any renewal fees you may have associated with your license.
Aimee Inama, the press officer for PennDOT's Driver and Vehicle Services, says about 25% of Pennsylvanians already have a REAL ID, but there is still plenty of time to get one if you want one.
"People are concerned," said Inama. "They are saying, 'What happens if I don't get it on May 7, am I going to be in trouble, or what am I going to do?' You do have time. PennDOT is still going to be processing REAL IDs even after the May 7 deadline, so we don't want people to panic."
Officials also want drivers to show up with all proper documentation, otherwise you will be turned away and have to return at another time.
click here.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
What is the PA State Grant Program?
(WHTM) — Applications for the 2025-2026 PA State Grant officially opened Thursday. The Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency administers the grant program, which provides financial assistance to eligible Pennsylvanians pursuing higher education. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now The grants are based on financial need. Last year, students were eligible for as much as $5,750 in awards, according to the program's manual. The grant is only available for Pennsylvania residents attending approved nonprofit private and public schools. The program also covers Pennsylvanians attending school in a reciprocal state: Delaware District of Columbia Massachusetts Ohio Vermont West Virginia Pennsylvania law prohibiting use of handheld devices while driving goes into effect today Students can only apply for the grant after completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Submit a PA State Grant application here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Yahoo
TikTok ban on Pa. state government devices passes Senate
HARRISBURG, Pa (WHTM) — A bill banning TikTok on state-owned devices in Pennsylvania unanimously passed the Senate Wednesday. Senate Bill 376, sponsored by state Senator Kristin Phillips-Hill (R-York), passed with unanimous support. It would bring the Commonwealth in line with more than 39 states that passed similar restrictions in the wake of security concerns over the app's parent company, ByteDance, and its relationship with the Chinese government. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now 'If we want to protect Pennsylvanians from cyber attacks, we must take proactive and proven steps to defend our systems against known vulnerabilities and threats,' said Sen. Phillips-Hill. 'These bills reflect commonsense safeguards that are already being used by other states and the federal government.' The bill would require state employees to follow federal guidelines on the use of TikTok on government networks and devices. Two years ago, State Treasurer Stacy Garrity banned TikTok on Pennsylvania Treasury devices. What is TikTok shop, and where does all the stuff come from? The Senate also unanimously passed Senate Bill 377, which would require all state IT contracts to meet cybersecurity standards established by the National Institute of Standards and Technology. Both bills are a part of a larger package from Sen. Phillips-Hill and now advance to the House for consideration. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Yahoo
In Wisconsin, you can add an emergency contact to your driver's license, but few have done it
More than 82,000 Wisconsinites have signed up to link an emergency contact to their driver's license within the first year of the feature becoming available. On average, around 1,000 people opt into the program per week, according to a news release from the state Department of Transportation. That represents less than 2% of all 4.47 million licensed Wisconsin drivers in 2024, according to DOT data. At the end of 2024, just over 53,000 had signed up for the program. 'This is a very simple, successful program that helps law enforcement reach a loved one or friend faster in case there's an emergency,' DMV Bureau of Driver Services Director Tina Braddy said. 'It's there if you need it.' If you're interested in signing up for the program, here's how. The program is optional, and an emergency contact isn't added automatically. The easiest way to sign up is online here. You'll need the following information: Your first and last name Your Wisconsin driver license or ID card number The last four digits of your Social Security number Your date of birth Your emergency contact's name Your emergency contact's address Your emergency contact's phone number Your relationship to the emergency contact More: The Real ID deadline has passed. Here's how it's affecting wait times at Milwaukee's airport and the DMV According to the DOT, only law enforcement is able to access the information, including police from other states. Emergency contact information doesn't appear on the physical license card. The law requires the DOT not to disclose information to anyone except law enforcement and DOT employees. The law, which is abbreviated TIFF — "To Inform Families First" — was signed by Democratic Gov. Tony Evers in late 2023. It had strong bipartisan support in the state Legislature. 'This is extremely valuable information when it comes to accidents, or even a walk-away situation for an Alzheimer's patient, an overdose, or any emergency when we may need to contact a loved one on a Wisconsinite's behalf,' Sen. Jesse James, a Republican from Altoona and a part-time police officer, said in a press release. Sixteen other states have the same legislation, bill authors said at the time. The effort is led by Christine Olson, a Milwaukee native, who wasn't notified for 6½ hours after her daughter was killed by a drunk driver in Florida. "You never know how much you will need this — until you do," Olson said in the press release. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Wisconsin's emergency contact program for driver's license draws few
