REAL ID deadline nears: What you need to know about updating your Ohio driver's license
If you put off getting a REAL ID, now is the time to do it.
Beginning May 7, U.S. agencies will require people to present REAL IDs to get through airport security or access federal facilities, including nuclear power plants. Congress passed the law 20 years ago, but its implementation has been delayed multiple times since then.
About 55% of the 9.1 million licenses and IDs in Ohio are already REAL ID-compliant, according to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles.
Here's what you need to know about the new rule.
Ohioans can visit any BMV location to update their driver's license with documents proving:
Full legal name.
Date of birth.
Legal presence in the U.S.
Social Security number.
Ohio street address (two documents from different sources).
Name change, if applicable.
The BMV will give you a temporary ID and mail your new driver's license in a plain, white envelope.
You will receive your ID in the mail within 10 business days. If you have not received your new card after 28 days, contact Ohio BMV online or call 1-844-OHIO-BMV (1-844-644-6268) to check the status of your card.
The BMV accepts a wide range of documents for REAL ID requirements.
Name, date of birth and residency: Birth certificate, U.S. passport, permanent resident card, naturalization certificate.
Social Security number: Social Security card, W-2, 1099 form, pay stub.
Ohio address: Driver's license, tax return, credit card statement, insurance policy, utility bill, Ohio concealed weapons permit, proof of home ownership.
Name change: Marriage license, divorce decree, annulment of marriage.
You can see a full list of acceptable documents here.
Ohioans who don't have a REAL ID must show a passport or other approved ID to travel domestically.
The Transportation Security Administration also accepts permanent resident cards, U.S. Department of Defense IDs, Global Entry cards and photo IDs issued by federally recognized tribal nations.
U.S. passports are still required for international travel.
REAL ID-compliant driver's licenses have a star in the top right corner. Standard licenses say "not for federal ID" in the same corner.
Haley BeMiller covers state government and politics for the USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau, which serves the Columbus Dispatch, Cincinnati Enquirer, Akron Beacon Journal and 18 other affiliated news organizations across Ohio.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: REAL ID deadline is approaching: What Ohioans need to know
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Trump Just Revoked California's EV Rules. How Much Is California To Blame?
President Donald Trump just revoked California's permission to enforce its nation-leading clean-car rules — and Mary Nichols understands why. "No one likes being regulated," she told me ahead of Thursday's Oval Office signing ceremony. Nichols knows that better than almost anyone. As head of California's Air Resources Board for 17 years, she brought the world's biggest automakers to heel using the state's unique authority to go further than the federal government in setting vehicle emissions standards. It's those same automakers who lobbied Trump to "rescue the U.S. auto industry from destruction by terminating California's electric vehicle mandate once and for all," as Trump put it Thursday. It didn't have to get to this point. California officials had been in talks with automakers prior to the November election about how to keep them on board, but the state overplayed its hand, Nichols said. "Many people were acting on the assumption that it was going to be the Democrats continuing in power," she said. "So the state felt like they had all the cards in their hand, and then after the election, it was pretty hard to reset the conversation." To hear Nichols tell it, California may have gone too far this time in nudging the industry to ever-higher sales of zero-emission vehicles. The rules would have required automakers to hit increasing percentages — 35 percent by model year 2026 and 68 percent by model year 2030 — before reaching 100 percent of new-car sales in 2035. Maybe that would have worked if it were just about California. But a dozen other states are signed on to California's targets, and they have been slower and less generous with incentives and EV charging infrastructure. Where California has more than a quarter of its new car sales coming from EVs, New Jersey is at 15 percent, and New York is under 12 percent, according to the industry's latest figures. "They were definitely having issues with the California program because they didn't think they could meet the sales numbers in the mandate, especially [Gov. Gavin] Newsom's target of nothing but ZEVs with a deadline attached to it," Nichols said. "That was scary, and even the interim targets were going to be hard to meet." The pendulum has swung against California before: The George W. Bush administration was the first to attempt to deny California's permission from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to require automakers to sell increasing percentages of zero-emission vehicles, and Trump went further in his first term by attempting to revoke the state's already-issued authority. But Republicans had never resorted to doing it through Congress, via an untested maneuver that congressional watchdogs have warned is likely illegal but that still drew 35 Democratic votes in the House and one in the Senate (Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.), in the tradition of Detroit's John Dingell). It's a far cry from the bipartisan consensus that reigned when President Richard Nixon famously signed the Clean Air Act, which set federal air pollution levels for the first time but gave California permission to continue going further, owing to its decade-plus of vehicle emissions rules aimed at the smoggy Los Angeles basin. The automakers have been steadily lobbying against the rules since then, with a brief ceasefire from 2009-16, when ten automakers and the United Auto Workers signed a nonaggression pact in President Barack Obama's Rose Garden with California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and the EPA. That it happened at the same time that the federal government was taking an equity stake in General Motors was no coincidence, said Nichols, who helped broker the pact. "They saved them from bankruptcy," she said. California has less recourse this time around. Where Newsom signed deals in 2019 with Ford, Volkswagen, Honda, BMW and Volvo to abide by the state's rules even in the event of federal cancellation, he now only has Stellantis, which signed a separate agreement last year that goes through model year 2030. And several of the state's allies are peeling off. California had 12 other states signed on to follow its lead as of last year, but it now has 10, after Republican-led Virginia dropped out and Vermont delayed enforcement by 19 months. And Democrats are getting cold feet, too: Maryland Gov. Wes Moore signed an executive order in April delaying enforcement, and Democratic lawmakers in New York introduced a bill this year to delay their participation by two years. (California and the other 10 states immediately sued Thursday to preserve the emissions standards.) "If it was only California, I think [automakers] wouldn't have been as eager to jump in on the federal level and work with the Republicans, but it's the fact it's the other states that had the California standards that were killing them, especially New York," Nichols said. That echoes the automakers' argument. "The problem really isn't California," John Bozzella, CEO of the Alliance for Automotive Innovation, said in a statement after the Senate's vote last month to overturn the rules. "It's the 11 states that adopted California's rules without the same level of readiness for EV sales requirements of this magnitude."
Politico
2 hours ago
- Politico
Trump Just Revoked California's EV Rules. How Much Is California To Blame?
President Donald Trump just revoked California's permission to enforce its nation-leading clean-car rules — and Mary Nichols understands why. 'No one likes being regulated,' she told me ahead of Thursday's Oval Office signing ceremony. Nichols knows that better than almost anyone. As head of California's Air Resources Board for 17 years, she brought the world's biggest automakers to heel using the state's unique authority to go further than the federal government in setting vehicle emissions standards. It's those same automakers who lobbied Trump to 'rescue the U.S. auto industry from destruction by terminating California's electric vehicle mandate once and for all,' as Trump put it Thursday. It didn't have to get to this point. California officials had been in talks with automakers prior to the November election about how to keep them on board, but the state overplayed its hand, Nichols said. 'Many people were acting on the assumption that it was going to be the Democrats continuing in power,' she said. 'So the state felt like they had all the cards in their hand, and then after the election, it was pretty hard to reset the conversation.' To hear Nichols tell it, California may have gone too far this time in nudging the industry to ever-higher sales of zero-emission vehicles. The rules would have required automakers to hit increasing percentages — 35 percent by model year 2026 and 68 percent by model year 2030 — before reaching 100 percent of new-car sales in 2035. Maybe that would have worked if it were just about California. But a dozen other states are signed on to California's targets, and they have been slower and less generous with incentives and EV charging infrastructure. Where California has more than a quarter of its new car sales coming from EVs, New Jersey is at 15 percent, and New York is under 12 percent, according to the industry's latest figures. 'They were definitely having issues with the California program because they didn't think they could meet the sales numbers in the mandate, especially [Gov. Gavin] Newsom's target of nothing but ZEVs with a deadline attached to it,' Nichols said. 'That was scary, and even the interim targets were going to be hard to meet.' The pendulum has swung against California before: The George W. Bush administration was the first to attempt to deny California's permission from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to require automakers to sell increasing percentages of zero-emission vehicles, and Trump went further in his first term by attempting to revoke the state's already-issued authority. But Republicans had never resorted to doing it through Congress, via an untested maneuver that congressional watchdogs have warned is likely illegal but that still drew 35 Democratic votes in the House and one in the Senate (Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.), in the tradition of Detroit's John Dingell). It's a far cry from the bipartisan consensus that reigned when President Richard Nixon famously signed the Clean Air Act, which set federal air pollution levels for the first time but gave California permission to continue going further, owing to its decade-plus of vehicle emissions rules aimed at the smoggy Los Angeles basin. The automakers have been steadily lobbying against the rules since then, with a brief ceasefire from 2009-16, when ten automakers and the United Auto Workers signed a nonaggression pact in President Barack Obama's Rose Garden with California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and the EPA. That it happened at the same time that the federal government was taking an equity stake in General Motors was no coincidence, said Nichols, who helped broker the pact. 'They saved them from bankruptcy,' she said. California has less recourse this time around. Where Newsom signed deals in 2019 with Ford, Volkswagen, Honda, BMW and Volvo to abide by the state's rules even in the event of federal cancellation, he now only has Stellantis, which signed a separate agreement last year that goes through model year 2030. And several of the state's allies are peeling off. California had 12 other states signed on to follow its lead as of last year, but it now has 10, after Republican-led Virginia dropped out and Vermont delayed enforcement by 19 months. And Democrats are getting cold feet, too: Maryland Gov. Wes Moore signed an executive order in April delaying enforcement, and Democratic lawmakers in New York introduced a bill this year to delay their participation by two years. (California and the other 10 states immediately sued Thursday to preserve the emissions standards.) 'If it was only California, I think [automakers] wouldn't have been as eager to jump in on the federal level and work with the Republicans, but it's the fact it's the other states that had the California standards that were killing them, especially New York,' Nichols said. That echoes the automakers' argument. 'The problem really isn't California,' John Bozzella, CEO of the Alliance for Automotive Innovation, said in a statement after the Senate's vote last month to overturn the rules. 'It's the 11 states that adopted California's rules without the same level of readiness for EV sales requirements of this magnitude.'
Yahoo
20 hours ago
- Yahoo
Driver's license suspension: Reasons and resolutions
A driver's license suspension can cause major transportation issues for you until you satisfy state requirements to get your license back. It can also cause insurance pain. Find out how driver's license suspensions work, how long they last, and what you can do to reinstate your driving privileges as soon as possible. Learn more: How does car insurance work? The basics explained. A driver's license suspension is an official, temporary pause of your driving privileges. State motor vehicle departments initiate suspensions as penalties for many driving and non-driving issues. The underlying causes can range from getting too many tickets to falling behind on child support. Each state defines why a license can be suspended, how long the suspensions last, and what you must do to reinstate driving privileges. Once your license has been suspended, you cannot legally drive a car on public streets. If you're caught driving with a suspended license, you can face fines, steep penalties, and jail time. Suspension periods can range from 15 days to years, or indefinitely. For example: Pennsylvania drivers who accumulate six points on their driving records twice may face a maximum suspension of up to 15 days. Points are associated with driving infractions, such as speeding or failure to yield. You can accumulate six points in the state with two tickets for running a red light. In Texas, conviction of a drug-related offense prompts a mandatory 90-day driver's license suspension. California initiates six-month suspensions for first-time driving under the influence (DUI) offenders. Second and third DUI convictions can prompt suspensions of two to four years. Learn more: Here's how a DUI impacts your car insurance Indefinite suspensions remain in place until you take some action to resolve them. The steps to remove an indefinite suspension depend on the underlying cause for the penalty. For example, you can receive an indefinite suspension for driving without insurance or failure to resolve traffic tickets. In these cases, you usually need to prove you have secured auto insurance or settled the outstanding tickets. Your state may notify you of an indefinite license suspension in court or by letter to your address on record with the motor vehicle department. The notice should outline the steps required to remove the suspension. If you didn't receive a notice and suspect your license is suspended, contact your motor vehicle department for more information and to update your address. To check the status of your driver's license, visit the official website for your state's motor vehicle department. Many states allow you to check your driver's license status for free. Have your driver's license number, birth date, and Social Security number on hand. Note that unofficial DMV websites may charge for license status checks. If you can't find a free lookup service online with your DMV, try calling or setting an appointment at a local office. Be sure to have a friend drive if you suspect your license is suspended. A license suspension pauses your driving privileges, while a revocation cancels them. Either way, you cannot drive legally during the penalty period. The main difference is what happens after the suspension or revocation period ends. At the end of a driver's license suspension period, you may need to pay a suspension fee and satisfy any additional requirements, such as resolving old tickets. When a revocation period ends, you must apply for a new license. This may involve completing forms, paying fees, and passing a driving test. There are many reasons a driver's license could be suspended, including: Too many tickets Unresolved tickets Driving without insurance Driving without a license Failure or refusal to take a breathalyzer test DUI, DWI, or boating while intoxicated (BWI) Hit and run Reckless driving Vehicular assault or manslaughter Drug charge conviction Failure to pay child support Learn more: What is the difference between DUI and DWI? This embedded content is not available in your region. The above list is not comprehensive, and the suspension timelines are inconsistent from one state to another. Below are state-specific examples of license suspension regulations. The primary reasons for California license suspensions include: Driving without insurance. If you have an accident while driving without insurance, your license can be suspended for four years. You can recover driving privileges after one year with proof of insurance that you maintain for three years. Failure to report an accident. California requires you to report accidents that cause damages over $1,000, injury, or death. DUI conviction. California will suspend your license for six months after your first DUI conviction. You may have the option to apply for a restricted license. Failure to appear in court for a traffic ticket. Your license can be suspended until you pay or resolve outstanding traffic tickets. Excessive points. Too many points from driving violations can lead to driving probation, suspension, or revocation. Underage drinking. With an underage drinking conviction, the state can suspend your license until you turn 18 or for one year, whichever is later. Vandalism. A vandalism conviction can prompt a one-year suspension. If you haven't yet received a driver's license, you may have to wait a year to get one. Refusal to take a drug or alcohol test. California can suspend your license if you refuse a blood, breath, or urine test to avoid a DUI charge. Failure to pay child support. Falling more than 30 days behind on court-ordered child support is grounds for suspension. Learn more: Car insurance requirements in California — and ways to save money Florida drivers may have their license suspended due to problems such as: Unpaid tickets in Florida. Unpaid fines are grounds for indefinite suspensions in Florida. Failure to appear. Not complying with court requirements, including appearing on your court date, can lead to an indefinite suspension. Failure to complete driver improvement school. The Florida court may order you to attend driving school, or you may have chosen to attend a course to resolve a ticket. Either way, if you don't attend, your license can be suspended. Unpaid citations in other states. Florida will suspend your license until you prove you have settled out-of-state traffic tickets. Unpaid fines. Florida will suspend your license if you don't pay a court-ordered fine related to a criminal offense. 12 points in 12 months. Florida uses a point system to track driving violations. If you incur 12 points within a year, your license is suspended for 30 days. The suspension is longer for more points. For context, you can amass 12 points with four speeding tickets or three instances of reckless driving. Serious accidents, non-DUI related. Your Florida license can be suspended for up to one year if you cause a non-DUI accident that results in death or serious injury. Child support delinquency. Falling behind on child support can lead to an indefinite suspension. Non-DUI convictions resulting in serious injury or death. Your license can be suspended for one year after a non-DUI conviction if the incident injured or killed someone. Learn more: Florida car insurance: Why experts recommend more than just minimum coverage New York drivers can receive license suspensions for the following: Unpaid state taxes. New York initiates an indefinite license suspension for unpaid state taxes. "Indefinite" means there is no automatic removal of the suspension. Instead, you will have to remedy the underlying issue — in this case, by paying the back taxes. Unpaid Driver Responsibility Assessment (DRA). DRAs are fees owed to the DMV after accumulating six or more points on your driving record within a year and a half. Violation of junior driving rules. New York State prohibits drivers with a Class DJ or MJ junior license from driving in New York City. There are also regional restrictions for nighttime driving without a supervising driver. Insurance lapse. New York suspends your license if you let your auto insurance lapse for 91 days or more. Learn more: New York state car insurance: Review your options and how to save In Pennsylvania, these issues can prompt a license suspension: Driving around railroad crossing gates. If you don't comply with a railroad crossing gate in Pennsylvania, your license can be suspended for 30 days. Failure to stop for a school bus. Driving by a school bus with its red lights flashing and stop arm extended can earn you a 60-day license suspension. Insurance lapse on a registered vehicle. Pennsylvania can suspend your license for three months if your state-registered vehicle has no insurance for 31 days or more. Failure to complete mandated Driver Improvement School. After multiple traffic tickets or violations, Pennsylvania may require drivers to attend Driver Improvement School. Failure to complete the course can prompt an indefinite license suspension. Texas license suspensions can arise from issues such as: Displaying fake license plates. Texas has a mandatory 180-day license suspension for convictions involving fake license plates or falsified safety inspection certificates. BWI. BWI convictions can result in license suspensions up to two years. Drug-related convictions. Conviction of a drug offense not related to driving can warrant a 90-day license suspension. Supplying alcohol to a minor. Giving alcohol to minors can lead to a 180-day license suspension. Learn more: Car insurance costs are big in Texas. Here's how to get the cheapest rates. Washington drivers may face suspensions for these and other issues: Eluding a police officer. A conviction involving evading the police can warrant a one-year license suspension in Washington. Too many tickets. If you get six moving violation tickets in a year, or seven violations in 24 months, your license can be suspended for 60 days. Leaving a child unattended in a running car. Washington court can suspend your license for up to a year if you are convicted twice for leaving an unattended child in a running car. Failure to pay for accident damages. If you cause a collision and don't pay for the damages, you can receive a three-year license suspension. Depending on the circumstances of your suspension and where you live, you may qualify for a restricted license. Types of restricted licenses can include: Ignition interlock license. An ignition interlock license allows convicted drunk drivers to drive with a suspended license if they install an ignition interlock device (IID) on their vehicle. An IID is a breathalyzer that only allows the car's engine to start if no alcohol is detected. Occupational driver's license (ODL). An ODL restricts your driving to only essential destinations, such as work or school. Generally, you must apply for the ODL and show that you have no other form of transport available. The ODL often specifies where you can drive and during what hours. Hardship license. A hardship license also allows for limited driving rights. Texas and other states may issue hardship licenses to drivers with medical conditions that affect their ability to drive safely. Drivers must apply and may need to provide a medical opinion on their driving ability. Driving privileges are usually restricted to necessary and pre-authorized locations. Probationary driver's license. Pennsylvania and other states allow some suspended drivers to obtain a probationary license. This license may restrict driving to daytime hours unless you can prove the need to drive at night. A suspension marks you as a higher-risk driver for the insurance company. Depending on the circumstances of the suspension, your insurance company may respond by raising your rates at renewal time, especially if the suspension was due to a driving-related issue or not renewing your policy. Still, it's important to maintain car insurance on your vehicle. There are ways to save money on car insurance, including shopping around to compare quotes and maximizing discounts. Amy Danise and Tim Manni edited this article.
