Real ID Requirements Complicate License Process
November 14, 2017 at 6:38 p.m.
Everyone applying for an Indiana credential – driver’s license, learner’s permit or identification card – for the first time must obtain a Real ID.
For those who have had one for awhile, it gets a little tricky.
A person renewing, amending or replacing their current Indiana credential has the option of applying for a Real ID or a non-compliant credential, but are encouraged to obtain a Real ID-compliant credential.
A non-compliant credential will not be acceptable for federal identification purposes, including boarding federally regulated commercial aircraft (effective Oct. 1, 2020), accessing federal facilities that require identification to enter or entering nuclear power plants, according to information provided by the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles.
A Real ID meets federal government requirements for all three credentials.
“Indiana has not made Real ID mandatory for current credential holders. If someone holds a current Indiana credential, they still will be able to get a non-compliant credential after the Oct. 1, 2020, deadline,” according to Christine Meyer, communications director, Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles.
Applying For Real ID
To receive a Real ID, applicants must take documents to the license branch to prove their identity (name and date of birth), Social Security number, lawful status in the United States and Indiana residency.
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Anyone who is not a U.S. citizen (legal temporary or permanent residents) is required to have a Real ID and must present full documentation to apply for a renewal or replacement of their existing credential. This includes providing documents which prove identity (name and date of birth), Social Security number, lawful status in the country and state residency.
Indiana residents who want a Real ID must bring original versions or certified copies of the required documents to the license branch.
Laura Sowers, Warsaw, renewed her driver’s license in September before it expired.
“They sent me a card, before my license was expired, in the mail so I knew what kind of paperwork I needed to take with me. After I had all the paperwork, it was simple, easy. It took a few extra minutes than the normal,” she said.
For her license renewal, she said she took her Social Security card; birth certificate; her actual marriage license, not what she got from her minister, since she is married; and two forms of mail that was in her name and mailed to her current address.
She happened to have it all, so she didn’t have to make any trips to the health department to get her birth certificate or the Social Security office for a copy of that card.
Being prepared before going to the BMV was a big help, she said.
As for if she noticed any difference between her old card and her new one, Sowers said, “There’s a star on the top of it. Other than that, no.”
Customers with questions about collecting their documents can call the BMV toll free at 888-692-6841 or visit any state license branch.
Those applying for Real ID will receive it within 14 days of their visit to the license branch, provided there are no problems with their application or documentation. A BMV representative will contact someone whose application or documentation has problems.
New Indiana Residents
New Indiana residents have 60 days to obtain a state driver’s license if they hold a valid driver’s license from another state. Titles and registrations from any vehicle must also be transferred from the previous state to Indiana.
When applying for an Indiana driver’s license, all valid credentials from other states must be turned over to the BMV. If a person does not hold a valid driver’s license, they must hold an Indiana learner’s permit for 180 days before obtaining an Indiana driver’s license.
If a person is at least 18 and holds a valid out-of-state driver’s license from the state of their prior residence, they must visit a BMV branch to present one of the following three items: current out-of-state driver’s license, a copy of their official driving record or a verification letter. They also must present documentation proving their identity, lawful status, Social Security number and Indiana residency. They will be required to pass an exam and a vision screening. If their out-of-state license has been expired for more than three years, they must pass a driving skills examination.
The BMV will issue an interim license, valid for 30 days, authorizing the holder to drive pending authentication of documents submitted to BMV.
If a person is younger than 18 but more than 16 years and 180 days old, and holds a valid out-of-state driver’s license for at least 180 days in their previous state of residency, they must visit a BMV branch to present their current out-of-state driver’s license or a copy of their official driving record. They also must present documentation proving their identity, lawful status, Social Security number and Indiana residency. They will be required to pass a knowledge examination and a vision screening.
The BMV will issue an interim license, valid for 30 days, authorizing the holder to drive pending authentication of documents submitted to BMV.
Renewing/Replacing Online
A person may renew or replace their driver’s license online if their name and address have remained the same since the last time they received a license; they are not required to take an examination; and their previous renewal transaction was completed in a license branch.
They will need to provide their name, date of birth, residential address and Social Security in order to renew or replace their driver’s license online.
Amending A Driver’s License
If any personal information (name, date of birth, gender or address) has legally changed, a person will need to amend the information at any BMV branch.
Renew An Expired License
If a person’s license has been expired for less than 180 days, they will have to pay a $6 administrative penalty fee and pass a standard vision screening.
If their license has been expired for 180 days to three years, they will have to pay the $6 plus pass a knowledge examination and standard vision screening.
If their license has been expired for more than three years, they will have to pay the $6 plus pass a knowledge examination, driving skills exam and standard vision screening.
For more information on the BMV or obtaining an Indiana’s driver’s license, visit the state’s website at www.in.gov/bmv/
Everyone applying for an Indiana credential – driver’s license, learner’s permit or identification card – for the first time must obtain a Real ID.
For those who have had one for awhile, it gets a little tricky.
A person renewing, amending or replacing their current Indiana credential has the option of applying for a Real ID or a non-compliant credential, but are encouraged to obtain a Real ID-compliant credential.
A non-compliant credential will not be acceptable for federal identification purposes, including boarding federally regulated commercial aircraft (effective Oct. 1, 2020), accessing federal facilities that require identification to enter or entering nuclear power plants, according to information provided by the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles.
A Real ID meets federal government requirements for all three credentials.
“Indiana has not made Real ID mandatory for current credential holders. If someone holds a current Indiana credential, they still will be able to get a non-compliant credential after the Oct. 1, 2020, deadline,” according to Christine Meyer, communications director, Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles.
Applying For Real ID
To receive a Real ID, applicants must take documents to the license branch to prove their identity (name and date of birth), Social Security number, lawful status in the United States and Indiana residency.
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Anyone who is not a U.S. citizen (legal temporary or permanent residents) is required to have a Real ID and must present full documentation to apply for a renewal or replacement of their existing credential. This includes providing documents which prove identity (name and date of birth), Social Security number, lawful status in the country and state residency.
Indiana residents who want a Real ID must bring original versions or certified copies of the required documents to the license branch.
Laura Sowers, Warsaw, renewed her driver’s license in September before it expired.
“They sent me a card, before my license was expired, in the mail so I knew what kind of paperwork I needed to take with me. After I had all the paperwork, it was simple, easy. It took a few extra minutes than the normal,” she said.
For her license renewal, she said she took her Social Security card; birth certificate; her actual marriage license, not what she got from her minister, since she is married; and two forms of mail that was in her name and mailed to her current address.
She happened to have it all, so she didn’t have to make any trips to the health department to get her birth certificate or the Social Security office for a copy of that card.
Being prepared before going to the BMV was a big help, she said.
As for if she noticed any difference between her old card and her new one, Sowers said, “There’s a star on the top of it. Other than that, no.”
Customers with questions about collecting their documents can call the BMV toll free at 888-692-6841 or visit any state license branch.
Those applying for Real ID will receive it within 14 days of their visit to the license branch, provided there are no problems with their application or documentation. A BMV representative will contact someone whose application or documentation has problems.
New Indiana Residents
New Indiana residents have 60 days to obtain a state driver’s license if they hold a valid driver’s license from another state. Titles and registrations from any vehicle must also be transferred from the previous state to Indiana.
When applying for an Indiana driver’s license, all valid credentials from other states must be turned over to the BMV. If a person does not hold a valid driver’s license, they must hold an Indiana learner’s permit for 180 days before obtaining an Indiana driver’s license.
If a person is at least 18 and holds a valid out-of-state driver’s license from the state of their prior residence, they must visit a BMV branch to present one of the following three items: current out-of-state driver’s license, a copy of their official driving record or a verification letter. They also must present documentation proving their identity, lawful status, Social Security number and Indiana residency. They will be required to pass an exam and a vision screening. If their out-of-state license has been expired for more than three years, they must pass a driving skills examination.
The BMV will issue an interim license, valid for 30 days, authorizing the holder to drive pending authentication of documents submitted to BMV.
If a person is younger than 18 but more than 16 years and 180 days old, and holds a valid out-of-state driver’s license for at least 180 days in their previous state of residency, they must visit a BMV branch to present their current out-of-state driver’s license or a copy of their official driving record. They also must present documentation proving their identity, lawful status, Social Security number and Indiana residency. They will be required to pass a knowledge examination and a vision screening.
The BMV will issue an interim license, valid for 30 days, authorizing the holder to drive pending authentication of documents submitted to BMV.
Renewing/Replacing Online
A person may renew or replace their driver’s license online if their name and address have remained the same since the last time they received a license; they are not required to take an examination; and their previous renewal transaction was completed in a license branch.
They will need to provide their name, date of birth, residential address and Social Security in order to renew or replace their driver’s license online.
Amending A Driver’s License
If any personal information (name, date of birth, gender or address) has legally changed, a person will need to amend the information at any BMV branch.
Renew An Expired License
If a person’s license has been expired for less than 180 days, they will have to pay a $6 administrative penalty fee and pass a standard vision screening.
If their license has been expired for 180 days to three years, they will have to pay the $6 plus pass a knowledge examination and standard vision screening.
If their license has been expired for more than three years, they will have to pay the $6 plus pass a knowledge examination, driving skills exam and standard vision screening.
For more information on the BMV or obtaining an Indiana’s driver’s license, visit the state’s website at www.in.gov/bmv/