Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
Oh, well ... yeah, I want/need a RealID. Crap. So, my original question stands. Which license center should I go to?
I'm sure if I renew my license online, and then go in for a RealID, that I would have to pay twice. I'd rather not do that, but I'd also rather not drive illegally. How do people with jobs that can't take days off deal with this crap? This is terrible.
If you have a valid passport, don't bother with the Real ID. Just renew your DL online and use your passport when you have to fly.
If you don't have a passport, and you have a few months before you have to renew your DL, you can call and make an appointment at the location of your choice. You won't have to wait in line to get a number. Go right up to the front and tell them you're there for an appointment.
If you don't have time, and are willing to travel, go to one of the rural offices. You'll still have to wait, but not as long as you would in the Triangle.
I feel like this topic should be a sticky. It seems to pop up every now an then. Search this forum for "DMV" or "RealID" and you'll get a number of threads that you can look through.
We just did this the end of July to get my Son's drivers license and tried three times with crazy stupid wait times. The last try was at Spring Forest location, they got in line at 6:00am and were about 12 in line (the location opens at 7:00) I think they finished in a couple of hours. Previously they tried several supposedly less busy locations with no luck.
Oh, well ... yeah, I want/need a RealID. Crap. So, my original question stands. Which license center should I go to?
I'm sure if I renew my license online, and then go in for a RealID, that I would have to pay twice. I'd rather not do that, but I'd also rather not drive illegally. How do people with jobs that can't take days off deal with this crap? This is terrible.
My wife wanted to change her license to a RealID when we changed our address (I already had one.) She checked into making an advance appointment online for Atlantic Ave but the earliest opening they had was mid October. Avant Ferry had an opening about ten days out. She booked that one, showed up about 5 minutes before the appointed time, breezed in past the line, and was in and out in 15 minutes elapsed time - TOTAL!
Oh, well ... yeah, I want/need a RealID. Crap. So, my original question stands. Which license center should I go to?
I'm sure if I renew my license online, and then go in for a RealID, that I would have to pay twice. I'd rather not do that, but I'd also rather not drive illegally. How do people with jobs that can't take days off deal with this crap? This is terrible.
It's a $40 fee to get a DL...really not that big of a deal, and I think the cost to upgrade to a real ID compliant license is $10 which is the lost/replacement fee.
For me it was worth the $10 to renew online and not spend it in line for hours, I will gladly skip the real ID this time especially since I have a passport and global entry which comes with a card that I can also use when going through airport security. Plus that isn't a requirement until 2020 IIRC.
OP here. I just decided to renew online. The reason is that since NC is a "compliant" state, there is no real benefit to me for getting the RealID now. This way, I can drive legally, and have until October 2020 to get my RealID. I'll come back on here between now and 2020, and see what people are experiencing at the various centers. Most likely, I'll go to a rural town when the time comes for me to finally get the new ID.
OP here. I just decided to renew online. The reason is that since NC is a "compliant" state, there is no real benefit to me for getting the RealID now. This way, I can drive legally, and have until October 2020 to get my RealID. I'll come back on here between now and 2020, and see what people are experiencing at the various centers. Most likely, I'll go to a rural town when the time comes for me to finally get the new ID.
Thanks everyone!
Since you're renewing online and you'll have plenty of time to get the RealID, you can just make an appointment when you're ready to do it. Just make sure to call for an appointment a few months before you actually want to go. By making an appointment, you won't have to go to a rural town (just make your appointment at your local DMV), and you won't have to wait in line.
So...if i have a flight scheduled on the day my current license expires in about 3 months (true story....it's also my 30th birthday...yikes); and I renew my current license before then online....I'll be OK at the airport?
I do have a passport too so I guess I can bring that just in case.
So...if i have a flight scheduled on the day my current license expires in about 3 months (true story....it's also my 30th birthday...yikes); and I renew my current license before then online....I'll be OK at the airport?
I do have a passport too so I guess I can bring that just in case.
Yes you will be fine. My wife uses her DL all the time even going through precheck. She does not have a real ID license.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
