The requirement to upgrade your license to a Real ID for travel purposes is coming in May 2023, but many New Jerseyans are still stuck without any ability to get an appointment at an MVC to upgrade their license.
Under the new rules, Real ID will be required to fly in the United States. Those who do not have Real ID by the time the requirement goes into effect will have to bring a passport along as identification.
However, there isn’t a single appointment available anywhere near Lakewood to upgrade licenses to Real ID. In the entire state, there are just four MVC locations that have any Real ID appointments available, and nearly all of them are not until mid-October, at the earliest.
The closest MVC locations to Lakewood with Real ID appointments available are in North Cape May (95 minutes away), Rahway (55 minutes), Salem (105 minutes away), and Vineland (also 105 minutes away). The closest one, Rahway, has just one appointment available as of this writing.
As the Real ID deadline inches closer, at least some lawmakers are noticing.
Senator Jon Bramnick wrote on Facebook: “Resident says no appointments for REAL ID. Needed by next year. Department must fix it. Disrespectful to citizens. Will get answers.”
Below is a video explainer of Real ID.