Real ID deadline looms and only 62 percent of South Carolinians have it
North Augusta, S.C. (WJBF)- May 7th. That's the deadline for everyone in the United States to have a Real ID. After that, you will not be able to fly domestically, or enter a federal building or a military installation until you get one. You know you have a Real ID if you have a gold or black star on your driver's license or state ID.
The federal government decided to streamline identification nearly 24 years ago.
'We had an obvious problem with 911. And the biggest problem was, is we had individuals that stole identity, stole airplanes and killed a lot of Americans,' explained Kevin Shwedo, Executive Director of the South Carolina DMV.
Real IDs are just another layer of protection and proof that you are who you say you are. There are still things you can do without one…like voting.
'If you've got a driver's license and it's not a Real ID driver's license, you will still be allowed to drive. If you have an ID card, you will still be able to do most of the things you can do with an ID card, except go through a TSA checkpoint, get on a military installation, and get in to a secure federal building,' said Shwedo.
If you live in Georgia, you probably already have your Real ID. In 2020 the government gave Georgian's one year to get it done.
'Across the state of Georgia, we're close to close to 99%. I would say 98 just to, you know, give a push back there. But it's just required something we're doing with homeland, that's just making sure people are who they say they are,' said Representative Brian Prince.
Only 62% of South Carolina have gotten their Real ID and the clock is ticking.In South Carolina, you may have to stand in a longer line to get one- but you should be able to get it on the same day.
'We are not like some of our sister states that are having significant issues. There are some states, to where you will now wait three months to get an appointment to get in. I'm not even asking you to make an appointment,' Shwedo said.
Most of the people we spoke with say they understand the reasoning behind the real ID. Many are trying to get their Real ID before the deadline, especially since it has changed in the past.
'Need to come on and do it now. Don't procrastinate any longer. We need to get all this done and accomplished and so come on out before the lines get too long,' encouraged Chuck Faulkner, a South Carolina resident.
A Real ID in South Carolina is $25.
To get a Real ID you have go in person to a DMV and provide your social security number and bring the following documents:
Proof of Identity (Government-issued birth certificate or valid US Passport)
Social Security Number (SSN) – Electronically Verified by SCDMV
Two Proofs of Current, Physical SC Address
Proof of All Legal Name Changes, if applicable
If you need to fly after May 7, and won't have a Real ID by then, the TSA will accept a few other forms of identification, including a passport. You can find the full list on TSA's website.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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