Real ID in Maine: Yes or No?

Yesterday I trekked out to brave the unique circle of hell that is the DMV. Actually, the experience was more just an exercise in tedium than anything really unpleasant. In Maine, there are some central offices for the DMV that you can go to anytime, but for the rural areas, there are pop up offices. In my town, that means twice a month, you can go to a place right in town and get your license renewed. The only problem? Everyone prefers to do that instead of driving 45 minutes away, so it’s typically a bit crowded.

It took about an hour and a half for me, all told. Which meant I arrived, signed in, and then read a book while they churned through all the names in front of me. There are definitely worse ways to spend your time, though there are better as well. Thankfully the two people they had staffing the office were both efficient and even tempered. That’s always a plus.

This year, I had a new option. For years Maine has resisted the new drivers license requirements the rest of the nation has adopted, which means that starting in October of next year, Maine licenses won’t be any good to get on airplanes. Not unless you pay for the upgraded “Real ID compliant” option. And judging from yesterday, they really want to be sure you know you don’t need a Real ID compliant license.

To get one, you need to bring some extra identification when you renew, and you have to specifically request a Real ID compliant license. The default is non-compliant. I had my passport, current license, a utility bill, and a w-2 form that had my Social Security Number on it. That was enough to jump through all the hoops. But even then, the guy asked me repeatedly if I was sure I wanted a Real ID license.

“It costs extra,” he said.

“It’s just about $20 more,” I said. “I’m fine with that.”

“You already have a passport. You can just use that to get on planes.”

I stared at him, surprised he was this committed to down-selling me on the Real ID. “I know. But I’d rather have the convenience of having a drivers license that works for airports here.”

“It won’t get you into Canada.”

“Come again?” I asked.

“The Real ID doesn’t replace your passport. You’ll still need it to go to Canada or any other country.”

And water is wet. “Yes,” I said. “I’m aware of that.”

Do you need a Real ID? No. Not if you have a passport and are willing to take it with you whenever you travel by plane. For me, I’d rather spend $20 to not have to worry about where my passport is all the time. A license stays in my wallet, and I’m used to keeping track of that. Passports are bigger and more unwieldy. I fly often enough that I don’t feel like needing to track one more thing when I do.

But that’s just me. Maybe the vast majority of Mainers are just more frugal or better able to keep track of documents than I am. They’re definitely more hellbent on defying government identification laws. The Real ID Act was passed back in 2005, for crying out loud. We’re one of the last five states to finally come around.

Go Maine?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Like what you’ve read? Please consider supporting me on Patreon. Thanks to all my Patrons who support me! It only takes a minute or two, and then it’s automatic from there on out. I’ve posted the entirety of my book ICHABOD in installments, and I’m now putting up chapters from PAWN OF THE DEAD, another of my unreleased books. Where else are you going to get the undead and muppets all in the same YA package? Check it out.

If you’d rather not sign up for Patreon, you can also support the site by clicking the MEMORY THIEF Amazon link on the right of the page. That will take you to Amazon, where you can buy my books or anything else. During that visit, a portion of your purchase will go to me. It won’t cost you anything extra.