Around 325,000 holders of California’s REAL ID from other countries will need to visit the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) once more to obtain new IDs following a software glitch.
This situation impacts about 1.5% of REAL ID holders in California, according to the department. The DMV plans to reach out to these individuals, all of whom are likely in the state legally, whether as immigrants or visitors.
The issue stems from the software responsible for setting expiration dates on ID cards. The older system from 2006 had a tendency to automatically assign a standard expiration date instead of an expiration date based on authorized presence in the U.S. This also applied to permanent residents, green card holders, and visa holders.
DMV officials clarified in a news release that “this issue was limited to how expiration dates are calculated for some non-citizens who are legally present in California.”
According to DMV Director Steve Gordon, “For nearly 99% of REAL ID holders, no action is required. DMV remains committed to serving all Californians and ensuring REAL ID credentials meet federal standards.”
To note, the deadline for obtaining a REAL ID is set for May 7, 2025. Individuals aged 18 and older who intend to travel within the U.S., access certain federal facilities, or verify their identity for specific federal services will need a REAL ID or another accepted form of identification.
As stated by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA):
The REAL ID Act, enacted by Congress in 2005, was a reaction to the 9/11 Commission’s suggestion that the federal government should “set standards for the issuance of identification documents such as driver’s licenses and ID cards.” The law and its regulations outline minimum security requirements for issuing and producing licenses and prevent federal agencies from accepting non-compliant driver licenses or identification documents for some official uses.
The department highlighted that REAL IDs are not granted to individuals who are unlawfully in the country, as reported by an ABC affiliate in Los Angeles.
