The California DMV is in trouble, because they have had to revoke a total of 325,000 Real ID licenses due to an error in the expiration dates. Imagine believing that you finally have all your paperwork in order and that your REAL ID is not valid!
The California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) has acknowledged the error and people are worried because the REAL ID is mandatory to fly within the country and to enter federal buildings, it is not just anything…
But what happened?
That while reviewing the DMV’s internal systems they discovered that there is a fairly old computer code (from 2006!!) and this code was calculating the expiration date of the documents they issued incorrectly.
And no, it is not fraud, and it is not an identity problem nor documents issued to people without legal rights, it is an error in the date printed on the document. It may seem like a silly mistake, but it can leave you grounded.
Who does it really affect?
According to the DMV, the error affects around 1.5% of REAL ID holders in California, mostly non citizens, but with valid legal status (people with visas, temporary permits, permanent residents…).
Federal law says that, in these cases, the REAL ID must expire when the authorized stay ends and that is what the old system did not take into account.
Ok, and if I am one of those people?
If you do not receive an official notification, you do not have to do anything, no appointment, no checking anything, it is not your case. The agency will contact directly by regular mail those who are affected and will tell them exactly what to do. If you do not receive a letter, your REAL ID is still valid.
Free correction
For those who are on the list, the DMV has promised that the correction will be free (as it should be) and that these will be priority procedures from now on. The DMV will issue a new document (this time correct) at no cost to those affected.
Watch out for scams…
There will surely be people who want to take advantage of this DMV problem, so remember that the DMV will not make any calls, nor send any SMS nor ask you for any payment information, they will communicate by physical mail and official channels.
What is the Real ID for
Since last May it is mandatory for domestic flights within the country, to enter federal buildings and to pass some official controls. This document was proposed after the 9/11 attacks and is supposed to guarantee extra security in any movement of people.
But the reality is that an incorrect date on a federal document is no joke, especially on this one, it can prevent you from boarding a plane even if you have every right in the world to fly.
Message from the DMV
Remember that no one received a REAL ID without meeting the legal requirements, there are no documents issued to people who are not legally in the country, so it is a technical problem, not a legal or migratory one.
For now, check your regular mail, pay attention only to official communications and stay calm, they are working to provide attention and a solution as quickly as they can.