UPDATED on April 22: The NJMVC is now offering emergency REAL ID appointments for urgent life or death travel. The NJMVC has a website dedicated to these emergency requirements and can be found here.
To obtain a REAL ID in New Jersey, you must schedule an in-person appointment at a New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (NJMVC) Licensing Center. Walk-ins are not accepted for REAL ID; all appointments must be booked online.
Steps to Book a REAL ID Appointment
- Go to the official NJMVC appointment scheduling website.
- Appointments are released daily at 7 a.m., and additional slots are made available every Thursday as part of the “REAL ID Thursday” initiative, which adds thousands of extra appointments each week.
- If your driver’s license is expiring within three months, you can upgrade to a REAL ID during your license renewal appointment. Otherwise, you must book a dedicated REAL ID appointment.
- For a complete list of acceptable documents to bring with you, visit REAL ID online at NJ.gov.
Current Wait Times and Appointment Availability
- Demand for REAL ID appointments in New Jersey is extremely high due to the upcoming federal enforcement deadline of May 7, 2025
- Many residents report that it is very difficult to find open appointments, with slots often filling up immediately after being released each morning.
- Some individuals have had to check repeatedly or travel to less congested locations to secure a slot.
- The next available appointments at some locations may not be until July or later, especially for high-demand centers.
- The NJMVC continues to add new appointments daily and weekly, but high demand means appointments are often booked out quickly.
Conclusion
Remember, REAL ID is not a requirement to drive in New Jersey. It is a federally compliant ID for flying domestically and for entering certain government buildings. If you do not need to fly right away after the May 7th deadline, you can wait to get a REAL ID. A valid passport will also serve as acceptable identification to board a domestic flight after the deadline.
Be sure to check out our previous article Do Seniors Need a New Jersey REAL ID?