The REAL ID requires real documents to prove your age, your identity, your social security number and where you live.
Since 2011, 2.3 million Marylanders have become compliant.
"We've not only extended hours,” said MDOT MVA Administrator Chrissy Nizer. “We've added additional employees. We've added capacity in terms of stations."
But with just a year to go until the federal deadline, for every person in Maryland who has completed the process, there's someone who has not---2.3 million more people who risk having their old driver’s license seized during a traffic stop or unable to enter a federal building or board an airplane if they don't get the REAL ID.
"Get it done now,” said BWI Marshall Executive Director Ricky Smith, “Get it out of the way so you won't have to worry about it come October of next year, because there will be a mad rush around that time and you'll probably find yourself a little frustrated."
Since January, the Motor Vehicle Administration has had almost 300,000 customers make appointments to have their documents screened rather than waiting in long lines.
It guarantees with an appointment, you will be seen within 15 minutes, and thus far, it's averaging less than seven minutes.
"We now have over 20,000 appointments available a week so definitely, the appoints are out there,” said Nizer. “We encourage you to find one that's convenient for you at a local branch office."
Beginning this weekend, the MVA is also extending its Saturday hours until 4:30 at branch offices in Beltsville, Bel Air, Columbia, Glen Burnie, Frederick, Parkville, Walnut Hill and Westminster and it will open its Loveville branch from 8 a.m. to noon to help with increased demand as time ticks down towards the deadline.
Click here to see what documents you need to bring with you to get a Real I.D. or to schedule an appointment to get one.
Click here to see if your I.D. is Real I.D. compliant.
