If you have not heard about the REAL ID, you should make yourself aware. In 2005, The United States Congress passed the REAL ID Act (ID Act) and President George W. Bush signed the ID Act into law that May. According to the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the ID Act establishes minimum security standards for license issuance and production. The ID Act also precludes federal agencies from accepting for certain purposes identification cards and driver’s licenses from states that do not meet the ID Act’s minimum standards. The purpose of the ID Act is to allow:
- Access to federal facilities;
- Enter nuclear power plants; and
- Boarding onto federally regulated commercial aircrafts.
How to Get a REAL ID
If you are a resident of the state of Nevada, you may be wondering how to obtain your REAL ID. It is important to ask this question because you do not want to be in a situation where you are not in compliance with the ID Act and are prohibited from entering somewhere you need to be. Below are some simple instructions for you to follow:
Gather Your Documentation. In order to apply for a REAL ID, you must present all of the following:
- Proof of identity;
- Proof of name change (if you have changed your name);
- Proof of Social Security number;
- Proof of Nevada residence (two documents); and
- Completed application for driving privileges or ID care.
Apply in person. In order to obtain a REAL ID, you must apply in-person at your local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and will need to make an appointment;
Pay any applicable fees. If you are completing another ID or license transaction, there is no additional charge for a REAL ID. This includes adding an endorsement or renewal. Change of information charges for a REAL ID range from $9.25 to $13.25.
The deadline to comply with the ID Act was pushed to May 3, 2023 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, even if your current driver’s license or identification card is not compliant with the ID Act, you have plenty of time to get one that is.
Is Your Current ID Compliant?
In order to know if your current driver’s license or ID is compliant with the ID Act, you can check with your local Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) for compliance. You can also check it. Checking to see if your license or ID is compliant is as easy as checking for the star. REAL ID-compliant cards have a star in the upper part of the card. You should find one of the following:
- Gold or black star;
- Star cutout in a gold or black circle;
- Star cutout in a gold grizzly bear.
If your card has a star in the upper right corner, then it is REAL ID-compliant.
Experienced Nevada Personal Injury Lawyers
Equipped with a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or ID card, we hope you are able to stay safe both on and off the road. If you are hurt due to the negligence or recklessness of another driver, however, you should contact H&P Law right away. Our experienced attorneys will work aggressively to protect your rights under the law and help you to receive the maximum compensation available to you.
