Better hurry up on that Real ID? Not necessarily, state now says

Minnesota’s Driver and Vehicle Services is so far behind in processing Real ID applications that it’s telling people not to get one now unless absolutely necessary.

That’s a stark contrast to the message earlier this year from DVS and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to get the federally approved identification needed to board planes and enter some government facilities.

In May, the TSA began requiring air travelers to show a Real ID to board domestic flights. Passports, Global Entry cards or tribal and military IDs also are acceptable forms of identification.

As the May deadline approached, DVS saw exponential growth in applications from people seeking to get a Real ID for the first time. Applications grew from 48,000 to more than 101,900 in April. By the end of June, DVS had received more than 394,000 applications.

“We saw crazy numbers,” said Jody-Kay Peterson, driver services program director for DVS. “We wished [applicants] had done it sooner than later.”

DVS has a goal of turning around applications in 30 days, she said. But with the crush of last-minute applications and only 24 employees statewide to process them, the backlog has continued to grow. As of Monday, the wait time was 97 days, Peterson said.

Renewals, however, are getting their Real IDs in about 30 days, she said.

Employees in the issuing unit also process applications for other state IDs, such as enhanced IDs and standard licenses.

“We have to divvy up employees,” Peterson said. “We still have to review it properly and verify you are who you say you are.”

She said DVS is looking at overtime to help employees whittle the backlog. And in the coming months, the agency may get a helping hand from technology.

DVS is testing AI tools to help with verification. They could be in place in the next six months, Peterson said.

Until then, “applications need to simmer down,” she said.

For those waiting for their Real ID, DVS has a driver’s license lookup feature on its website, which lists the status of an application.

“That can help with all the panic calls and emails we are getting,” Peterson said.

For those still without Real ID, Peterson suggests using another form of identification accepted by TSA or the government.

Peterson said DVS is hoping to get caught up in the next two months, but anybody who needs a Real ID soon is likely out of luck.

“You won’t have it next month if you apply now,” Peterson said.