As the May 7 enforcement date for the federally mandated Real ID looms closer, Wright County residents are scrambling to ensure their identification papers are in order. Understanding the updates can be confusing, but fear not, the Wright County License Center has stepped in with some clarifications. According to their recent message, the May 7 marker is when the new law is enforced, not the final call to apply for a Real ID or Enhanced License.
It's clear the locals have been feeling the pressure, with the license center reporting "heavy foot traffic and long wait times." But to be clear, as the License Center explains, the Real ID isn't a must-have for every activity: "A standard driver’s license or ID card is still good to use for basic things like driving, registering to vote, banking, buying alcohol or tobacco, etc." While having a passport still reigns supreme for globetrotters, getting an additional Real ID is an option rather than a necessity.
For those looking to up their ID game, the License Center has listed some steps. To apply for a Real ID for the first time, applicants need to gather certain documents, explicit in the Real ID Requirements page. The same goes for the Enhanced License, with its list of must-haves on the EDL Requirement Documents page. To bypass some of the in-person hassle, you can start your application online, which the License Center says can speed things up when you finally hit the counter.
And for those who haven’t upgraded their ID but still need to take care of vehicular matters, the License Center reminds residents that their drive-thru is available for tasks like renewing tabs for a variety of vehicles, including motorcycles, boats, and ATVs, as well as applying for disability certificates. Wright County's motorists still must dash over to the License Center to manage these areas. For more thorough details on navigating Real ID applications and renewing tabs, head over to the Wright County License Center's announcement.
