Here’s Your Best Chance to Get a New Jersey REAL ID By May 7th

After several delays and a pandemic postponement, REAL ID really takes effect on May 7, 2025.

Starting on May 7th, you must have a REAL ID-compliant driver's license/ID to fly domestically in the U.S., unless you have a U.S. passport or another federally approved form of identification.

Although getting a REAL ID isn't mandatory for New Jerseyians, if you plan to do any flying and you don't want to face significant delays, you better get that REAL ID.

The problem is, everyone is trying to get one at the same time.

If you've tried going to the MVC lately for a REAL ID, you already know this.

The backups are crazy, they won't even see you unless you have an appointment and appointments are hard to get.

The NJMVC Launches REAL ID Thursdays

Beginning Thursday, March 20, NJMVC Licensing Centers will focus on getting you a REAL ID, adding nearly 4,500 new appointments for each “REAL ID Thursday” going forward.

The MVC is adding license renewal appointments, where drivers with licenses expiring within three months can renew their license and upgrade to REAL ID at the same time, and REAL ID non-renewal appointments, where drivers with licenses expiring after three months can upgrade to REAL ID.

You can book an appointment for “REAL ID Thursdays” beginning Friday morning, March 14, on the appointment scheduler at the NJMVC website.

To learn more about REAL ID in New Jersey, visit REALID.nj.gov.

The website has answers to many of the most asked questions and a document selector that helps identify what you will need to bring — 2 proofs of residential address, 1 verifiable Social Security number, and identity documents that add up to 6 REAL ID Points — to get a REAL ID.