With COVID-19 shutting down businesses across the nation, including driver license centers, getting a REAL ID was not possible.

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) is resuming issuing REAL IDs at all of their Driver License Centers.

The REAL ID is a federal law that affects how states issue driver's licenses and ID cards if they are going to be used for federal purposes. 

A federally-acceptable ID whether its a Pennsylvania REAL ID driver's license or ID card,  must now be used on and after October 1, 2021, as identification to board a commercial flight or visit a federal building. 

The REAL ID is optional in Pennsylvania and all you need to contain one by presenting documents for verification and processing at any driver license center. The documents can be original or identified copy of a birth certificate that is filed within the State Office of Vital Records and Statistics. Your social security card in the current legal name. You will also need two proofs of your current Physical PA address. 

There are three ways you can obtain for obtaining a REAL ID:

1. You can order online if you have been pre-verified and their REAL ID will be mailed within 15 business days. 

2. You can visit any PennDOT Driver's License Center that is open for driver license services and have their documents verified and imaged. Then it will take up to 15 business days to be mailed to them.

3. You can visit one of the 12 REAL ID centers and receive their Real ID that same day. 

Once you receive your first REAL ID, you will have to pay a one-time fee of 30$, plus a renewal fee which is $30.50 for a four-year non-commercial driver's license or photo ID. The 4-year renewal will be added to your already expiration date. 

For more information for the REAL ID, you can visit the page of the DOT Driver and Vehicle Services website.