Photo: Famartin, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Starting today, New Jersey residents can sign up for "REAL ID" Tuesdays offered by the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC). This initiative is in response to the federal government's May 7, 2025, deadline requiring U.S. travelers to have a REAL ID to board domestic flights or access certain federal facilities. Without a REAL ID, travelers will need a passport or another federally approved identification form.
The MVC will open more than five thousand additional REAL ID appointments every other Tuesday, beginning May 20. This effort is part of the state's broader initiative to expand its MVC Mobile Unit, ensuring that as many residents as possible can obtain a REAL ID. According to the New Jersey MVC, while obtaining a REAL ID is not mandatory, it is recommended for those who use a driver's license or non-driver ID for domestic travel.
The REAL ID is a new federal requirement aimed at preventing fraudulent identification. It is available at all Licensing Centers by appointment, and residents can choose to upgrade now or wait until their license renewal.