REAL ID appointment scarcity in New Jersey leads to bipartisan outrage
In many parts of New Jersey, it’s virtually illegal to make a left turn, and bipartisan lawmakers are expressing outrage over the difficulty residents are facing in making REAL ID appointments.
State Assemblymember Nancy Muñoz, a Republican from Union, expressed frustration with the Motor Vehicle Commission’s lack of preparedness in handling the influx of REAL ID appointment requests. She stated, “There’s no excuse for the Motor Vehicle Commission to be this unprepared. Constituents are waking up early, refreshing their screens, only to watch appointments vanish in seconds. Some are driving over an hour just to find an available slot: It’s outrageous.”
New Jersey is legally compliant with the Department of Homeland Security’s REAL ID standards, which require additional documentation for a driver’s license to have a star affixed for domestic flight travel. Despite this compliance, the state ranks last in the percentage of residents who have obtained REAL IDs.
Assembly Majority Leader Lou Greenwald, a Democrat from Cherry Hill, acknowledged residents’ concerns and panic over the long wait times for appointments. He criticized the reliance on in-person appointments, which are time-consuming and inconvenient for many residents. Greenwald plans to introduce a bill to allow online processing of REAL ID applications to streamline the process and reduce delays.
A source familiar with New Jersey’s REAL ID rollout noted that the state’s low compliance percentage may be influenced by the ability of illegal immigrants to obtain “status-neutral” licenses, which cannot be used to obtain a REAL ID. Only green-card holders and U.S. citizens are eligible for REAL IDs, while passports remain acceptable for travel for those without a REAL ID.
The MVC has implemented measures such as “REAL ID Thursdays” and weekend work shifts to address the backlog of applications. However, Muñoz emphasized that the state has had ample time to plan for the high demand for REAL IDs.
Governor Phil Murphy’s office directed inquiries to the MVC, which stated that it is working tirelessly to assist as many residents as possible. The agency emphasized that New Jersey has been issuing REAL IDs for over five years and is currently processing approximately 23,000 applications per week.
As the deadline for REAL ID compliance approaches, lawmakers and officials in New Jersey are focused on improving the appointment process to ensure that every eligible resident can obtain a REAL ID efficiently. The state remains committed to delivering quality service and meeting the needs of its residents during this challenging time.
