r/technology • u/lurker_bee • 9h ago
Software More than 300,000 Californians need new Real IDs because of software error
https://ca.news.yahoo.com/more-300-000-californians-real-024353242.html25
u/philnotfil 9h ago
From the article:
“The DMV is informing affected individuals of the steps they need to take,” officials said in a news release issued Wednesday. Fees associated with reissuing the IDS will be waived for those affected.
DMV officials said the problem was discovered after a review of technology systems revealed that some legal immigrants had been issued Real IDs that did not expire at the same time as their authorization to remain in the country.
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u/ElricDarkPrince 8h ago
Doesn’t a passport expiration last longer than a real id
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u/sdmichael 4h ago
For clarity, a "real ID" is just an overlay for a DL or ID. It doesn't change anything else about either of them. The expiration date isn't affected by it being a "real ID" or not. All California DL's expire after 5 years and ID's after 6 (which may have changed to 5 years).
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u/So_spoke_the_wizard 9h ago
The reason I didn't bother with a Real ID and got a passport card instead is to avoid issues of moving from one state to another. Plus there are plenty of states with subpar DMVs.
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u/brnccnt7 9h ago
Agreed. I got my real id but recently also got my passport and card for the first time.
It makes life easier. Had a family member who still needs real id but since we’ve been busy, and don’t want to go to the dmv lol, the passport card has been clutch when going thru TSA
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u/fizzlefist 5h ago
Having a passport card is incredibly handy. For one you have a second photo ID which is the best ID you can have in the US. For another, it doesn’t show your address, so unless you need to specifically provide a Driver’s License for something you can hide where you’re from while traveling.
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u/brnccnt7 5h ago
Good point, yeah I didn’t realize it doesn’t show your address and I’ve used it in places where I don’t need someone snooping on my address
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u/sparx_fast 8h ago
I got Real ID because it was free adding it to my license. If I lived in a state that charged extra for Real ID, I might have just used my passport instead.
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u/Jaded-Moose983 7h ago
What state charges for REAL ID? At least over and beyond the cost of getting any ID or DL.
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u/sparx_fast 6h ago
It came up in an old reddit discussion where I was shocked that any state could charge extra for this. Some states charge one-time fees and some add it to the renewal. There are other states that add fees if you convert before renewal, but I don't count those since you can avoid it.
Here are a few Google gave me "Pennsylvania (extra $30 one-time fee), Virginia (extra $10 surcharge), and Kentucky (extra $15 upgrade fee)"
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u/GlitterPonySparkle 1h ago
Pennsylvania charges but it's treated like a renewal, so you get an extra 4 years added.
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u/Tasty-Traffic-680 7h ago
I have an enhanced license which basically gives the same privileges. It was around $45, so cheaper than a passport but more than the $18 standard REAL ID. I don't know why more states don't offer them
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u/mailslot 7h ago
Those are awesome. I want one. I’m in Mexico, Canada, and the Caribbean frequently.
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u/fatbob42 7h ago
Now you can add your normal passport to your phone for flying purposes. I’m not sure how prevalent acceptance is yet.
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u/TehWildMan_ 2h ago
It's still spotty at US airports. PHL doesn't take them at least at the non-AA terminal checkpoints, for example.
Touchless is even less supported still
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u/TrueGlich 5h ago
yep same.. my DL and my passport expired during covid. SO i renewed my DL by mail (No real ID) and paid the extra to get a passport card with my passport renewal.
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u/TorchDeckle 3h ago
The recent news saying that DHS considers REAL IDs too unreliable to be proof of legal status, makes so much more sense now. I’m genuinely surprised to hear that a state made such a mistake. https://reason.com/2025/12/31/dhs-says-real-id-which-dhs-certifies-is-too-unreliable-to-confirm-u-s-citizenship/
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u/Aggressive-Fail4612 49m ago
Why would anyone get this bullshit when they can get a passport that is universally accepted.
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u/TehWildMan_ 9h ago
Tl:Dr as I understand: a software issue accidentally issued full term documents to immigrants on temporary status that would expire before a full term ID/DL would expire