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New Jersey is intensifying efforts to ensure residents obtain REAL IDs before the May 7 deadline. The New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) has added nearly 4,500 appointments weekly to facilitate this process. After May 7, travelers will need a REAL ID or another approved form of identification to pass through TSA checkpoints for domestic flights.
REAL IDs are part of a federal initiative to enhance security standards for state-issued licenses and identification cards. They feature a small star in the upper right corner, indicating compliance with the REAL ID Act. As noted by the NJMVC, residents are not required to obtain a REAL ID, but without it, they will need to use a passport or another federally approved ID for air travel.
To accommodate the surge in demand, the MVC has introduced dedicated appointment slots on Thursdays and will host new REAL ID Mobile Unit Events on Saturdays, as reported by the Courier Post. These measures aim to help residents meet the deadline and avoid travel disruptions.
According to TSA's Federal Security Director for New Jersey, Thomas Carter, the REAL ID initiative seeks to prevent the use of fraudulent identification by enhancing the reliability and accuracy of driver licenses.
Residents can schedule appointments via the MVC website and must bring specific documents, including proof of identity and New Jersey residency, to obtain a REAL ID.