I got a gold star today.

[Grayfox54]

That is the new Real ID driver's license. We're all gonna have to do it sooner or later. My Drivers license doesn't actually expire until 2027. I was gonna wait until then and I was really dreading it too.  But you've got to have one by 2025 or you can'y fly anywhere. Not that I plan on flying anywhere anyway. But as I said, we're all gonna have to do it eventually.  

But an opportunity came my way that I just couldn't pass up. It seems that the State and my city made some kind of deal where the Dept of Safety came to us to issue the new licenses to any city employees who want it. The bonus was that they set up in the Municipal Center that's only 5 minutes from my house.  Me, being a retired city employee, qualified for it. 

They're only gonna be here for two days and It was by appointment only. So I made one for today. Happy to report that I was in and out in about 20 minutes. 

Sure beats sitting in the renewal office for half a day or more. 

[Links2k]

14 minutes ago, Grayfox54 said:

That is the new Real ID driver's license. We're all gonna have to do it sooner or later. My Drivers license doesn't actually expire until 2027. I was gonna wait until then and I was really dreading it too.  But you've got to have one by 2025 or you can'y fly anywhere. Not that I plan on flying anywhere anyway. But as I said, we're all gonna have to do it eventually.  

But an opportunity came my way that I just couldn't pass up. It seems that the State and my city made some kind of deal where the Dept of Safety came to us to issue the new licenses to any city employees who want it. The bonus was that they set up in the Municipal Center that's only 5 minutes from my house.  Me, being a retired city employee, qualified for it. 

They're only gonna be here for two days and It was by appointment only. So I made one for today. Happy to report that I was in and out in about 20 minutes. 

Sure beats sitting in the renewal office for half a day or more. 

For future reference, when you need to renew your license, make an appointment and skip the line. Still only about 15-20 minutes. 

[Defender]

10 minutes ago, Links2k said:

For future reference, when you need to renew your license, make an appointment and skip the line. Still only about 15-20 minutes. 

I didn't realize they were doing that for driver's licenses now.  That's helpful info right there!  I usually go very early, like show up before they open, and still have stood in line a while.  I got my gold star in December of 2019, well, actually mine is a white star in a gold circle.

[Grayfox54]

I held a CDL for close to 40 years. Those have to be renewed in person. So I'm used to the hours and hours wait thing. That's why this sounded so good to me. I let my CDL slide after I retired. Just an ordinary driver now. And since I have the little star now, next time I can renew on line. 

The whole Real ID thing is BS anyway. Just another hoop we citizens have to jump through. 

[TennesseeCamper]

A passport, DOD ID or veterans health identification card can also be used in place of a state driver’s license with real id. 

[Obzen]

Just did mine and totally forgot to check if there’s an indicator that it’s actually a real ID.  I better check. Lol

[Darrell]

I moved to TN in 2019 and traded in my WA license for a TN license. It has the gold star on it, so they were doing it at least that long ago.