State Sen. Kristin Corrado (R-40) reintroduced a bill that would allow AAA to offer some motor vehicle services in New Jersey, including the Real ID.
Bill S1154, introduced on Jan. 13, would require the MVC to contract with AAA to offer five services available at MVC agencies. The bill now awaits a hearing before the Senate Transportation Committee.
Real ID licenses are among the documents accepted for domestic air travel identification, along with passports and Global Entry cards, according to a press release.
“The contract would be required, at a minimum and to the extent 41 practicable, to allow for the following motor vehicle services to be 42 provided at certain AAA facilities:
- motor vehicle registration 43 renewals, replacements, and duplicates
- driver’s license 44 renewals, duplicates, and upgrades to a REAL-ID license
- non-45 driver identification card renewals, duplicates, and upgrades to a 46 REAL-ID identification card
- license plate surrenders
- vision tests
The Real ID
Starting May 7, 2025, a REAL ID (marked with a star) or another valid form of federal identification (like a passport) is required for boarding domestic flights and entering secure federal buildings.
“The federal government now requires individuals provide a REAL ID driver license or non-driver ID, or another acceptable form of identification, such as a passport, to fly within the U.S. and enter certain federal facilities.
Getting a REAL ID is not mandatory — particularly if you already have a valid passport or any other ID that is accepted at federal checkpoints. Both the REAL ID driver license and the Standard driver license are valid for driving and general identification purposes.
Standard New Jersey driver licenses and IDs remain valid. You do not need a REAL ID to drive, to vote, to prove citizenship, or for general identification purposes,” according to the NJMVC website.
TSA: Flying Without the Real ID
Beginning Feb. 1, the Transportation Security Administration will roll out a modernized program called TSA ConfirmID, giving travelers without a REAL ID or other acceptable identification an alternative option to pass through security, according to a national TSA press release issued Thursday, Jan. 15.
Under the new system, travelers who do not have a REAL ID or another acceptable form of identification may pay a $45 fee to use TSA ConfirmID, which provides an optional identity verification process that allows access to air travel, the agency said in a press release.
“TSA ConfirmID will be an option for travelers that do not bring a REAL ID or other acceptable form of ID to the TSA checkpoint and still want to fly,” said Adam Stahl, senior official performing the duties of deputy administrator for TSA. “Impacted travelers will have the option to pay $45 and use the TSA ConfirmID process.”
Stahl said the fee is intended to shift costs away from the public.
“This fee ensures that non-compliant travelers, not taxpayers, cover the cost of processing travelers without acceptable IDs,” he said.
Under the new system, travelers who do not have a REAL ID or another acceptable form of identification may pay a $45 fee to use TSA ConfirmID, which provides an optional identity verification process that allows access to air travel, the agency said.
“TSA ConfirmID will be an option for travelers that do not bring a REAL ID or other acceptable form of ID to the TSA checkpoint and still want to fly,” said Adam Stahl, senior official performing the duties of deputy administrator for TSA. “Impacted travelers will have the option to pay $45 and use the TSA ConfirmID process.”
States Allowing AAA to Assist
Select AAA branches in some northeast states — Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, and Rhode Island — offer REAL ID application services for members, allowing them to upgrade their driver’s licenses or non-driver IDs, often with online reservations at AAA.com/Reservations.
To get a Real ID appointment at an MVC office in New Jersey takes several months and offers limited choices of locations.