Latest news with #ConcordDMV
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Getting There: New Hampshire's new driver's licenses aren't just pretty, they're practical
John Marasco had his work cut out for him. New Hampshire driver's licenses were already really cool with the Old Man of the Mountain featured prominently. But the Division of Motor Vehicles director really outdid himself with the new design this year. Getting There By incorporating the Old Man into the golden Real ID star logo, bringing the state flower to the forefront, changing the standard light blue headings to a green worthy of our tree-covered, mountainous terrain, and adding 'Live Free or Die' in microscopic text, Marasco created possibly the prettiest and most practical license in the country. Take that, boring Massachusetts. 'We worked on that project for about a year and a half, and I can tell you that it's one of the most strategic, time-focused projects that that I've ever been a part of,' Marasco said last week at the Concord DMV. 'I mean, we would with the vendor at times, we would have three, four meetings a day, and that would go on. We had a repertoire of those meetings all throughout the last year leading up to implementation. "Why? What does it entail? The final product of the card itself is really a technological wonder. The security features that are in there and everything that was done to make sure that the card ties into the fabric of New Hampshire history and values.' The new high-tech ID cards were approved by the Department of Homeland Security, have anti-fraud measures, and if you look closely enough, you'll even see some hidden 'Easter eggs.' 'If you take a magnifying glass ... what you're going to see is on the front and back, micro text: 'Live Free or Die.' And you're also going to see all of your counties, landmarks throughout the state. It's an incredible credential. I think it's the most appealing-looking license in the country.' Agreed. If you love the state's flower — purple lilac — well, you can actually see that now, too. 'If you look at the front of the old license, there's actually a purple lilac, but you'd never know it. It looks like a gyroscope. We wanted to do something this time around that was more pronounced,' Marasco said. The state had to make it so the license could be produced roughly 360,000 times a year in 14 different DMV offices and 60 counters. That meant new equipment, training and a nightmare for quality control so the lines at the DMV don't get any longer. 'Every one of those counters has a desktop on one side and a screen on the other. It's got the camera, which is state-of-the-art. It's got the signature pad. It's got two different ways to verify documents — Social Security cards, passports, document verification. The printer. Sixty counters around the state had to have all the old equipment come out, all the new equipment go up.' Finally, for any hockey fans out there, it's also neat that every New Hampshire license number starts with 'NHL.' Talk about icing on the cake, eh? Real ID deadline On May 7, anyone who wants to fly within the U.S. must have a Real ID or face possible delays getting through security. New Hampshire has one of the highest percentages of compliance in the country with more than 65% already all set, the DMV director said. If you were wondering, at the end of March there were still more than 66,000 drivers or state-issued ID holders who have said, 'Nah' to the Real ID. Marasco said the state will continue to offer the slightly cheaper non-compliant option, but he anticipates the Real ID percentage to rise over 70% by the deadline. Exit 4A update If the weather is nice enough, the Department of Transportation will begin work on Folsom Road in Derry at 7 a.m. Sunday between Ferland Drive and the Franklin Street intersection to put in a temporary pipe for Shields Brook to flow through the construction area. Work is expected to be done on Monday, but drivers will have to maneuver around a detour. The work is part of the $31 million interchange project to create Exit 4A on Interstate 93 and construct a wide access road, up to seven lanes at one point, to get drivers in and out of the heart of Derry. For traffic updates, visit
CBS News
09-04-2025
- Automotive
- CBS News
Rush to get a Real ID before early May deadline packs Bay Area DMV offices
The looming May 7th deadline for U.S. travelers to have a Real ID has Bay Area residents scrambling to make DMV appointments and – in some cases – facing long waits at regional offices. Travelers flying without a Real ID after that date could have a harder time getting through airport security. People without appointments were waiting up to three hours. State Department of Motor Vehicles offices in Pleasanton and Fremont are opening one hour early, every weekday except Wednesdays specifically to handle the growing number of Real ID appointments. East Bay resident Katrina Keith wasn't exactly thrilled about spending her day off sitting at the Concord DMV. "They're in the 200s and I'm at 352, so I have some time. I have some time. Hopefully they're moving faster," she said. Keith wasn't able to get an appointment, but needed to get a Real ID to fly to San Diego for her daughter's birthday without having to carry her passport. She said if she doesn't get through the line in an hour, she's leaving. "I'm ok with that, but three hours? No. I'm not staying here for three hours. It's not worth it. I will just hold onto the passport if that's the case," Keith said laughing. Jenifer and Mark Philipps took off work to bring their son in to get his Real ID. "It's spring break, his birthday is in two weeks and the one he has is going to expire, so that's it. Timing. Here we are. Who wants to go to the DMV? Nobody!" said Jenifer. Mark said he was dreading this DMV appointment more than doing his taxes and even a trip to the dentist, describing the DMV process as "painful." "This increase comes as no surprise to the DMV," said DMV spokesperson Jaime Garza. He told CBS News Bay Area the DMV anticipated seeing a rush of Real ID applications as the federal deadline got closer. "We're going to be monitoring the situation, not just in the Bay Area, but across California. And we're going to adjust the appointment availability as needed," said Garza. To get a Real ID, applicants are required to show proof of identity -- which can be a current passport or birth certificate -- as well as proof of social security number and date of birth along with two items proving residency such as a lease or utility bill. Applicants upload those documents online to save time. "Smile if you like and wait for the flash!" a DMV employee said to Melissa Anderson as she was taking a new picture for her Real ID. Anderson was lucky enough to get an appointment and said she made it in and out in less than half an hour. "I don't come to the DMV very often, so I guess it's not that bad. I've never had like a bad experience really. I know that's uncommon," Anderson said with a laugh. The only advice from the DMV staff is to just wait if at all possible to get your Real ID, especially if you already have a federally compliant ID. Applicants can also check wait times at their local DMV branch online. It estimates the time required based on time of day and if the applicant has an appointment or not. The site even provides estimated wait times at other nearby offices. Officials said they expect things to get back to normal within the next six to eight weeks.
