Buy a Real Driving License in New York
If your driver's licence or non-driver ID card states "Not for Real ID purposes," it will no longer be valid for air travel or federal buildings after 2025. Make an appointment to upgrade to a Real ID or an ENHANCED ID today!
The REAL ID Act was passed by Congress in 2005. It sets security standards for all state-issued identity cards, permits, and driver's licenses.

How to Get an ID Real ID
You will need all the documents required to upgrade your driver's licence, obtain an enhanced license or REAL ID card. To accomplish this, you'll have to schedule an appointment with the New York Department of Motor Vehicles.
Bring all of your documents to the DMV when you schedule an appointment so that they can be scannable. This will allow you to avoid any issues if you are trying to use your real driving license for anything. Remember to bring along a valid form or identification such as a passport birth certificate, or other state-issued document.
You will need to submit two proofs of your residence in New York if you are applying for either an REAL ID (Enhanced ID) or REAL ID (Real ID). This could be as simple as a utility bill, credit card statement or pay stubs showing your name and New York address. Documents with an address such as a P.O. Any document that is issued a P.O.
The REAL ID Act, passed by Congress in 2005, established minimum security standards for the state-issued identification cards and driver's licenses. It was crafted to protect against identity theft by making it more difficult for criminals to obtain fake documents. By May 7, 2025 you will need to possess a REAL ID or an enhanced identification card to fly within United States, or access certain federal facilities.
Visit the DMV's Document Guide (opens in an additional tab) for more details on the documentation that is required. You can also download a helpful list that tells you which documents you need to submit to the DMV.
You can download the checklist on PennDOT's REAL ID document check page (opens in a separate tab). You must visit a Pennsylvania DMV REALID center (opens in an additional tab) to have the documents checked and scanned. The process can't be performed online.
What documents do I need?
If you'd like to get an ENHANCED or REAL ID card, you'll need to make a trip in person to the Department of Motor Vehicles. The process of upgrading to a REAL ID or ENHANCED card requires you to be present in person, and bring certain documents. This is different from renewing your standard ID or license. The REAL ID Act, passed by Congress in 2005, established minimum security standards for driver's ID cards and licenses after the attacks of 9/11. Commission recommended that the federal government be more selective regarding the kind of credentials it will accept for accessing federal buildings, military bases and air travel.
You will need to present several forms of identification to your local DMV to upgrade to REAL ID. This includes one type of photo ID and proof of your birth date (birth certificate) as well as two forms of New York State residency that include your name and complete address. Documents that can be used include a New York State license, permit or non-driver ID card mortgage statement; bank statement; pay stubs credit card statement utility bill; certified copy of a marriage certificate; divorce decree or court order containing name and address.
You'll need proof of U.S. Citizenship, Lawful Permanent Resident Status or Temporary Legal status in the United States. If you have a Social Security Number, please bring it along with you to your appointment. The DMV website has an online document list that will help you decide what documents to bring to your DMV appointment.
Prepare your documentation and be ready to take the vision test at your DMV appointment. Be sure to bring a pair of eyeglasses or contact lenses if you require them. Once you have all your documents in order and your REAL ID or enhanced ID will be available for you to travel with confidence. The DMV will place a gold star in the upper right-hand corner of your new card to indicate that it has met federal requirements.
How much will it cost?
A real driving license is a state-government-issued document that confirms a person's identity and allows them to operate certain types of motorized vehicles. The requirements for obtaining a license vary from state to state, and those who are looking to obtain an updated driver's license should contact their local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to learn more about their specific requirements and fees.
In general the process for obtaining an actual driving license is very like that of an ordinary state license. It's important to check the DMV website of your state to ensure that you have all the required documents to avoid delays and complications.
For instance, in Hawaii, a Real ID driver's license costs $40 for eight years, and a Real ID state identification card costs the same amount. To pay for payments the DMV accepts personal checks, money orders, and banker’s checks.
Different states may have different requirements to verify the authenticity of a person's identity and citizenship. For instance, they may require two forms of proofs of address or certified copies of birth certificates. Certain states also require applicants to provide their Social Security number, U.S. passport or legal name, while others require only a birth date and legal name.
In Massachusetts the Registry of Motor Vehicles administers the Real ID program. To obtain a Real ID, applicants must provide the original or certified documents that prove their identity. Additionally, a Real ID non-commercial driver's license costs $50, whereas the Real ID photo identification card costs $25.
You'll have to pay the usual transaction costs associated with your application, regardless of whether you're replacing your license or applying for a Real ID. These can include administrative and state filing fees.
Insurify's calculators let you calculate the cost of a new Real ID for any state as well as any applicable transaction fees. The calculator estimates prices according to your input however, they could fluctuate between the time that you submit your application and the actual transaction. Calculators can be an excellent starting point for estimation of your costs and planning for any charges you might incur.
Where can I get a Real ID?
If you're a New York resident, the Department of Motor Vehicles offers three options for you to choose from: an enhanced ID as well as a REAL ID, and the standard driver's license. deutschen führerschein online kaufen who choose an enhanced or REAL ID will need to upgrade their current documents to allow use on domestic flights as well as in some federal buildings beginning May 7, 2025. The state's online document guide will assist you in creating an individual checklist of documents you'll need to bring along when you visit the DMV.
The REAL ID Act established minimum security standards for state-issued drivers' licenses, permits and identification cards. führerschein kaufen prohibits federal agencies, such as the Transportation Security Administration from accepting cards that do not meet these standards. Older cards can still permit people to drive and purchase alcohol and other age regulated products, play in casinos, and use certain government services.
New Yorkers can obtain an enhanced REALID or a new one by visiting their local DMV office and presenting one identity proof and one proof of legal status and two proofs of New York residency. For proof of residency, you may use an account statement from a bank or credit card bill with an address in New York.
Applicants that are required to renew their license or permit prior to when the deadline comes into effect will be able to change it to REAL ID once they can provide the required documents. In addition to that, if you were born in the United States or have been legally admitted to it by an agreement (such as a visa issued by the Department of Homeland Security) or have a lawfully permanent status, you'll be able to apply for a REAL ID at your local DMV.
The Real ID Act has been modified to allow citizens of the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of Palau and the Republic of the Marshall Islands which are residents of the Freely Associated States, or FAS. This modification, which was made as a part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 permits them to obtain a permanent Real ID.