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WALK-IN ANYTIME: NEVADA DMV EXPANDS REAL ID ACCESS

Customers must show proof of flight within 45 days of walk-in service

CARSON CITY – The Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) has announced that effective May 5, customers needing a Real ID with flight arrangements in the following 45 days, may walk-in Monday – Saturday from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. at the Reno, Carson City, Sahara, Flamingo, Decatur and Henderson offices. Proof of a commercial flight will be required for each individual.

The Real ID Act was first passed by Congress in 2005 and since then, the DMV has been issuing compliant driver’s licenses and ID cards, easily identifiable with a star emblem in the upper right-hand corner. The deadline to get a Real ID has been extended several times since 2005, but the new deadline of May 7 is the real deal; it is not being extended again.

“There are many misconceptions about who needs a Real ID, and customers who assumed the date would move again were not worried about the previous deadlines,” said DMV Director Tonya Laney. “Well, we are now seeing panic creep in amongst Nevadans who are trying to get their Real IDs. This is a problem for the rest of the customers in the state who already had appointments to get their regular DMV business done.”

To offset the demand for Real IDs, the DMV allowed walk-ins, starting April 22, on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3-4 p.m. With appointments and walk-ins combined, the DMV saw, in April alone, approximately 46,770 customers who needed a Real ID.

“If you do not have a need to board a commercial aircraft, enter a secure military facility or nuclear power plant, please do not panic!” said Laney. “Your existing driver license, ID card or instruction permit is still a valid document for all other purposes.”

For those who currently possess an unexpired military ID or passport, the DMV advises not to visit an office immediately, as those are TSA-acceptable documents at checkpoint.

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