With the deadline for Real IDs fast approaching, many Americans are struggling to book appointments to obtain the new documentation — especially in the state of New Jersey. Beginning May 7, air travelers at domestic airports and people entering some federal buildings must have what’s known as a Real ID.
On Monday in the Garden State, the Department of Motor Vehicles (NJDMV) website showed “0 appointments available” for Real ID services on its site. Yet there were 13,243 appointments available for non-driver IDs, 34,155 appointments open for transferring driver’s licenses from out of state, and 51,809 renewal appointments available.
If a driver’s license falls within the renewal period, the person can book a renewal appointment to upgrade to a Real ID — and there are 51,809 appointments available.
“As seen in states across the country, the demand for Real ID now is extraordinarily high ahead of the start of federal enforcement in May,” said the NJDMV’s automated voice service on Monday.
The department says 3,000 new appointments for Real ID upgrades are added each business day starting at 7 a.m.
“The upcoming enforcement date is most relevant for those New Jerseyans who plan to fly domestically in the short term and do not have a form of identification that will meet federal real ID requirements,” the automated voice also said on Monday.
As of Monday, the NJDMW had issued 1,381,916 REAL ID-compliant licenses and IDs, a spokesperson told Fox News Digital.
“The NJMVC is processing record numbers of in-person transactions, especially Real IDs, and we continue to evaluate our operations and capacity each week, looking to add as many appointments for Real ID as possible,” the spokesperson added.