tmiw

California issues special driver's licenses to people who can't prove their identity but those specifically say that they're not intended to be used as ID. Other states may have something similar.

cbn42

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der_saeufer

To use an example of why one might refuse despite being able to obtain a Real ID compliant license, Arizona "standard" driving licenses issued to people aged 21-60 expire on the holder's 65th birthday. The Real ID compliant license (called a "voluntary travel ID" by ADOT) is only valid for 8 years, costs the same, requires extra documentation, and is still optional. If you have a passport anyway, why hassle with it?

pinniped

True, but I would imagine that flights from American Samoa to the mainland (or even Hawaii) represent a small percentage of total trips taken by American Samoans.

I'm not too familiar with it, but wouldn't the overwhelming majority of flights taken be to (independent) Samoa? The question would then be whether Samoa lets Americans in without a passport, the way many North American / Caribbean countries used to do 10-20 years ago.

Beltway2A

On the flip side, for those of us who spend enough time in federal facilities, doing so would be cutting off our nose to spite our face. I'd gladly pay extra for a Real ID compliant license, and I'm thankful I don't have to. It would be a massive PITA to carry my passport everywhere.

swag

October 1 2020 is just 5 weeks prior to a Presidential and Congressional election day. There's no way the incumbents will let a bunch of voters come to the polls newly pissed off at the government. Whatever the final cutover date is, look for it to be in an odd-numbered year.

Wise-Broccoli8301

Correct but how long will that last? Forever? I wouldn't be surprised if in 2025 they say "Hey it's time now to get over to a Real ID," here's what you need to do to get your paperwork in order. My point is that the current measure is probably so that people don't get all angry that they have only 2 years to sort things out, especially if their license expires after the RealID cutoff date.

Wait so if one gets a license at 21 in AZ, it doesn't expire til they're 65? You can use the same card for 44 years? If so that might make sense, but in my experience in CA you get a new card every 5 years or so.

Wise-Broccoli8301

Also just got my RealID in CA, and for whatever reason it expires in 2020 on my birthday, which was when my original DL expires. That's kinda annoying. I thought they'd start a new fresh 5 year clock.

We have to pay up each time to renew right? I guess this state needs more money....

cbn42

Yes, I think it will last forever. Some people simply don't have the paperwork needed for a REAL ID, such as the elderly who can no longer locate their birth certificate. California also issues licenses to undocumented immigrants who would not be eligible for REAL ID, and has done so for several years.

CPRich

Because the big, bad gov'mint will find out stuff about me and oppress the people. (LINK)

( guess I need to insert (LINK) when there's a link as FT seems to the think the blue font/underline convention to show a hyperlink, which has existed since the dawn of the internet, is passé)

der_saeufer

Correct. You're "requested" to get a new photo every 12 years (and pay only for a duplicate card, not a renewal), but there's no penalty for not doing it. It used to be 18-65, but everyone got a new one at 21 anyway because the under-21 ID was vertical so you'd have trouble buying beer even after turning 21.

Another issue with Real ID is that you're required to show proof of address in that state. Not all states' laws restrict driving license issuance to their own residents, and of those that do, not all of them required proof of address. If your living situation is irregular (say, you rent a room informally so you have neither lease nor utility bill) or you're living temporarily overseas, you don't necessarily have enough documentation to prove your address, but that doesn't affect your ability to drive safely.

Cat Man Do

I think it's not so much a reason to refuse getting a RealID, it's that states are in no hurry to provide them, and states that do provide them are in some cases charging more.
Given that Passport book, passport card, GE, Nexus, and Sentri cards are all RealID compliant, there is much less impetus for any regular flyer to bother with a state RealID.

Also, some states' DMVs are a thing to be avoided.