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Real ID driver license

VacationForever

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Once on a trip from Paris to the US I had put a bag of peanuts in my carry on. I saw the "dog" being escorted from bag to bag at the baggage claim. They caught someone with a sandwich and confiscated it. I discretely took my bag of peanuts (they were going to be my snack while waiting for the next plane) and set them on the floor and quietly walked away.... sigh ..... those peanuts would have tasted good. But I suppose that in theory they were an agricultural product.
I bring cookies and sometimes factory-sealed seasoning from overseas to US all the time. I declare them and customs just ask me to pass through. The only time I lost big was a Chinese sweet-salty pork (meat) product, similar to jerky and customs folks tossed out a couple of hundred dollars worth of that stuff. I brought them back for friends and family. Lesson learned: No meat products and obviously no fruit and vegetable produce.
 

CalGalTraveler

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I got my real ID and also got for my college kids when they first became avail. Don't want to get stuck at an airport and I don't like carrying around my passport because it could get lost or stolen.

If in Calif plan to make appt at DMV 3 months in advance and be flexible about which DMV office you visit. Otherwise you could wait as much as 8 hours in line. Also make sure you have all th a paperwork to prove your identity or you will be sent to the back of the line. :wall:
 

lockewong

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Thank you for the tip on the replacement Social Security Card. I just created an account to request one.
 

John Cummings

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It doesn't look like there is any restriction to applying for the real id early. However, I don't think you can just tag along with your husband. According tomthe DMV website for California you need an appointment. You also need to be sure you bring all of the proper paperwork. You can find all of this information on the DMV website.

My wife got hers last month in California without an appointment. She also had to take the test.
 

Luanne

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My wife got hers last month in California without an appointment. She also had to take the test.
It probably depends on the office you go to. In the parts of California where I lived I wouldn't go in without an appointment.

P.S. I was just going by what the DMV website said.
 

PigsDad

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Wow. After reading all of these comments, I'm glad I live in a state that had their act together so their residents didn't have to go through all of these hoops. We have had Real ID drivers licenses for years, and we didn't have to even have to do anything special; when we renewed our DLs (which can be done online, no going to the DMV), it was automatic. Not sure what the problem is in those other states...

Kurt
 
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isisdave

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Recently, wait times have improved in many California DMV offices. Some of them have added Saturday hours, at least twice a month, and I think they have somehow accelerated service, perhaps by adding more people during busy times.

I'm not sure where OP lives, but you could get on Facebook in a local group and ask there which offices have short wait times. Another clue is the reservation system, where it seems that if there are appointments available soon (like two weeks out), wait times are shorter, and if appointments are being made 3 months out (!) the wait times might be longer.

I did a REAL ID renewal last May in Indio. I had an appointment, but there was no one in line anyway when I arrived at 9am, and I was out in 25 minutes. I also hear good things about Bishop, Hemet, Riverside East, and Palm Desert. AVOID Temecula! Driving 90 minutes to Indio and then back took less time than waiting in line would have. I think rural offices have fewer customers, so go to one if you'll be passing by on your way to your next timeshare anyway.

I don't believe you need an appointment, but be sure to bring all the documents listed on the website. Don't think "oh, this will be close enough," as it won't. They'll copy or scan everything and hand it back to you.

If DH has an appointment but you don't, you'll be made to stand in a different line, and he will finish long before you.

Finally, I believe they'll renew a license a few months (six?) early if you tell them you'll be out of the country during normal renewal time. You have to do this in person though (and of course you have to go in person for the REAL ID). Call 1-800-777-0133 and ask.
 

Talent312

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Not sure what the problem is in those other states...

The other states didn't think it was important to comply with the feds.
They thought the head-in-the-sand approach would work.
 
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