About 325,000 Real ID holders in California need to contact the DMV to keep their Real ID valid, according to a recent state agency announcement.
This affects approximately 1.5% of California Real ID holders, whose records need updates after a review for federal compliance.
The big picture: The DMV found a legacy system issue dating back to 2006, which impacted how some renewal intervals were applied to Real ID credentials.
- State officials will proactively reach out to affected individuals with instructions on maintaining valid California-issued Real IDs.
Zoom out: Real ID is a federally compliant ID used for situations like boarding domestic flights; in California, it features a grizzly bear and star marking.
Go deeper: The DMV confirmed that all issued Real IDs were properly verified for legal presence, and none were ever issued to undocumented individuals.
- Air travelers without valid Real IDs may face a $45 fee.
