Shapiro Administration Expands Access to REAL ID with Special REAL ID Days Across Pennsylvania
HARRISBURG – With only a few months left until the May 7 federal enforcement deadline, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) today announced a series of upcoming REAL ID Days events throughout the commonwealth to give residents additional opportunities to get a REAL ID. The events so far have been popular with residents, with almost 2,400 people being assisted at previous REAL ID Days events.
These events reinforce the Shapiro Administration’s commitment to improving customer service, expanding access to REAL ID services, and helping Pennsylvanians prepare ahead of the deadline.
“PennDOT is committed to making it as convenient as possible for Pennsylvanians to obtain a REAL ID if they want one,” said PennDOT Deputy Secretary for Driver and Vehicle Services Kara Templeton. “Because we’re seeing an increase in demand, we decided to offer our REAL ID Days as a way to ensure we are meeting the needs of the public and providing them with the best possible customer service.”
The March 10 REAL ID Days will be held from 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM at the following centers:
- New Kensington Driver License Center at 1600 Greensburg Road, New Kensington.
- Malvern Driver License Center at 225 Lancaster Avenue, Malvern.
- Indiana Driver License Center at 2334 Oakland Avenue, Indiana.
- Arch Street Driver License Center at 801 Arch Street, Philadelphia.
- Selinsgrove Driver License Center at 1015 Route 522, Selinsgrove.
- Montrose Driver License Center at 78 Grow Avenue, Montrose.
During these events, centers will be exclusively processing REAL IDs to help Pennsylvanians obtain a REAL ID before the enforcement deadline. For a complete list of REAL ID Days events, visit PennDOT’s website.
REAL ID Days are held on Mondays when the centers are typically closed. The centers will still be open during their normal hours and people can also get a REAL ID or conduct other driver license business during that time.
Although a REAL ID-compliant product may be needed for federally acceptable identification beginning May 7, 2025, Pennsylvanians can apply at any time up to or after the enforcement deadline. If you’re not sure whether a REAL ID is right for you, our REAL ID online wizard may be able to help.
More than 2.5 million Pennsylvanians have chosen to opt into the REAL ID program. Getting a REAL ID is optional in Pennsylvania, but beginning May 7, 2025, Pennsylvanians will need a REAL ID-compliant license/identification card, or another form of federally acceptable identification (such as a valid passport or military ID) to:
- Board domestic commercial flights.
- Enter a military base.
- Enter certain federal facilities that require a federally acceptable form of ID.
Federal REAL ID regulations require that PennDOT must verify the below documents:
- Proof of Identity: examples include an original or certified copy of a birth certificate filed with the State Office of Vital Records/Statistics with a raised/embossed seal, or a valid, unexpired U.S. Passport.
- Proof of Social Security Number (proof must display currently legal name and full nine digits of the Social Security Number): examples include a Social Security card, a W-2 form, a SSA-1099 form, a non-SSA-1099 form, or a pay stub.
- Two Proofs of Current, Physical PA Address: examples include a current, unexpired PA driver’s license or identification card, vehicle registration, or a utility bill with the same name and address.
- Proof of all Legal Name Changes (if current legal name is different than what is reflected on proof of identity document): examples include certified marriage certificate(s) issued by the County Court for each marriage, court order(s) approving a change in legal name, or adoption decree issued by your county’s family court.
- Note: If current name is the same as what is reflected on the proof of identity document (usually birth certificate or passport), proof of legal name change does not need to be shown.
More information about REAL ID document requirements can be found on PennDOT’s REAL ID website.
When a customer gets their first REAL ID product, they will pay a one-time fee of $30, plus the applicable renewal fee (the current renewal fee is $39.50 for a four-year non-commercial driver’s license and $42.50 for a photo ID). The expiration date of their initial REAL ID product will include any time remaining on their existing non-REAL ID product, plus an additional four years, unless the customer is over 65 and has a two-year license. This expiration date structure means that the customer won’t lose time that they’ve already paid for. After the initial REAL ID product expires, the customer will pay no additional fee beyond regular renewal fees to renew a REAL ID product.
After customers present the proper documentation and pay the applicable fee, they may obtain a REAL ID-compliant product by:
- Receiving the product in the mail within 15 days, if application was made at a Driver License Center.
- Receiving the product over the counter, if application was made at one of PennDOT’s 15 REAL ID Centers.
Customers who received their first Pennsylvania driver’s license, learner’s permit, or photo ID card after September 1, 2003, may already have their REAL ID documentation on file with PennDOT. These customers can apply for REAL ID pre-verification and order their REAL ID-compliant product online.
For a full list of driver license centers, REAL ID Centers, and services offered, please visit the PennDOT Driver and Vehicle Services website and click on Find A Location.
For more information on REAL ID, visit PennDOT’s REAL ID website. REAL ID is optional for Pennsylvanians, but will be required for domestic air travel and entry to certain federal facilities after the May 7, 2025, deadline. A passport will still be required for international travel.
Motorists can check conditions on major roadways by visiting www.511PA.com. 511PA, which is free and available 24 hours a day, provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, traffic speed information and access to more than 1,000 traffic cameras. 511PA is also available through a smartphone application for iPhone and Android devices, by calling 5-1-1, or by following regional X alerts.
