14-05-2025
DMV remains busy, one week into REAL ID implementation in NC
RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — A week since travelers have been asked to show their REAL IDs when traveling, DMV offices across North Carolina continue to be busy.
'It's been fun getting to practice patience a little bit,' said Logan Ostby, who just moved from Georgia.
The DMV reports a noticeable increase in the number of people trying to get a REAL ID in recent weeks and months, with nearly 100,000 last month alone.
'I had a colleague try to do it last week, waited for four hours one time, had to come back at a different day, waited two hours in that time and then finally got his REAL ID,' said Lynne Beaman.
With appointments booked 90 days out and lines of people wanting to walk-in, drivers hope to see improvements once more people have gotten their REAL ID's.
'I got mine done a couple of years ago when my teenagers were getting their drivers licenses, and I know for a lot of people it's quite a process, but even when we did it years ago, we had to go back and go home and get paperwork that we were missing,' Beaman said.
The DMV says 52% of North Carolinians have a REAL ID.
While the law has been implemented for a week now, passengers without a REAL ID, or other acceptable form of ID like a passport, can still fly with additional security screenings.
As the backlog of people continues at the DMV, the North Carolina House of Representatives is considering legislation that would put a temporary pause to the expiration of certain licenses.
If it becomes law, House Bill 821 would make it so drivers with an expired license would be able to continue driving with it through the end of 2027.
The legislation would not apply to REAL ID compliant licenses, or those that are canceled, revoked, or suspended.
With the busy summer travel season approaching, the DMV says the best time to get a REAL ID will likely be during weekend hours. Certain DMV locations will be open on Saturdays starting at the end of May.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
