I’m having issues getting my REAL ID license…please help?

Submitted by thedragonsleeps t3_z7v2df in Pennsylvania

So my license expires 12/01 and I paid for my REAL ID on October 30th and it said it would be here in 15 business days.

My temporary paper thing has already expired I don’t have the license.

it says my license is renewed, I just don’t have the physical one.

I tried calling the number a bunch and every time they say they are too busy and it hangs up. I never even get to talk to anyone.

I never got a photo card, do you have to get it re taken every 4 years?

Can I just take my receipt into a DMV and just get it printed right there? This is making me so mad like why don’t I have it yet? I should’ve gotten it a week or two ago.

I’m really dumb and I don’t want to get in trouble because of it. Please help?

Edit: thank you!! I went to the DMV and they said it bounced cause I have a PO Box and it wasn’t in the system. So I had to pay for a duplicate and make sure it gets sent to the P.O. Box. They gave me a temporary paper thing for 30 days so hopefully it comes now. Thank you for your help!

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cpr4life8 t1_iy8hj4x wrote

When I find myself in times of trouble

Trying to get my Real ID

Reddit has the answer

DMV

DMV DMV DMV DMV

Reddit has the answer

DMV

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AdriftAtLast t1_iy8pf46 wrote

This was beautiful

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cpr4life8 t1_iy8w3u6 wrote

:bows: tyvm!

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memestraighttomoon t1_iya5gmc wrote

And when the broken hearted people living in the world without ID
There will be an answer, DMV
For though they may be parted with their document of identity
There will be an answer, DMV

u/allegheny you are like some Weird Al level genius. I May have to record this for posterity.

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Electrical-Wish-519 t1_iy9l4wb wrote

You might have a future in song parodies. Wonder if Sesame Street still does the parody songs

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cpr4life8 t1_iy9m9uf wrote

😂 I make up my own words to songs all the time, but this is probably peak for me 😅

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HeyZuesHChrist t1_iy8edxk wrote

If you go to the DMV make sure you take a copy of your birth certificate, your social security card, your college ID, your old Blockbuster membership card, your electric bill, a picture of your house, your father's birth certificate, a picture of your mailbox with the address on it, your passport, your Subway club card from 1997, your car insurance and a copy of your car registration.

If you don't have all of these you will never be able to get it. Trust me.

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Cinemaslap1 t1_iy8gh1f wrote

If you don't have a picture of your mailbox, they will make an exception if you physically bring in the mailbox... but in those cases you usually have to bring the wooden afixture it's mounted on as well.

This can be difficult for those with mailboxes in brick stands.

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HeyZuesHChrist t1_iy8hesa wrote

I always forget about this loophole. Thanks for expanding on this!

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BigAl-43 t1_iy8wb6z wrote

Wait until the snow plow knocks it down and then take it in. Will make it easier for you.

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linsor1 t1_iy8jol8 wrote

Wow really? I know this is part sarcasm but also definitely real and considering I'm going Thursday I'm so glad I read this. My mailing address is a PO box so I guess I should prepare for the worst.

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im_at_work_now t1_iy8l7ov wrote

Here is the actual document checklist: https://www.dot.state.pa.us/Public/DVSPubsForms/BDL/BDL%20Fact%20Sheets/FS-RIDC.pdf

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HeyZuesHChrist t1_iy8mvd0 wrote

Take everything you can. It's not a joke. Take as many forms of ID as you have and everything you can with your physical address on it and your P.O. Box.

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CheyVonD t1_iybao41 wrote

If you’ve been married before, take the license and divorce decree, if applicable. My bfs mom tried to get her real ID, she’s 82 and they wouldn’t do it without the marriage license from the 50’s

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linsor1 t1_iycgaff wrote

I'm guessing because of the name changes? A friend of mine also needs hers, and while I haven't been, she has so I'll pass this along.

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bb2030 t1_iy8u6jj wrote

Flashbacks of trying to get my name changed at the DMV.

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xxdropdeadlexi t1_iy9656u wrote

this is why I never changed my last name when I got married. I couldn't get enough paperwork to please the almighty DMV.

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pa_bourbon t1_iyb3lr5 wrote

You forgot the lock of your first hair that your mom kept when you were a baby and the plastic ring from a milk bottle lid that was produced in the year 2008.

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eimihoshi t1_iy9m87h wrote

Huh, I just did it last week and had no issues.

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DifficultyStreet93 t1_iyamgsx wrote

This! I gave up trying to get my Real ID and went to get my passport instead. The passport process was so much easier than dealing with the DMV / Real ID process.

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defusted t1_iy87usc wrote

Go to the dmv

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transneptuneobj t1_iy889s9 wrote

As a fellow dumb person, just go to the dmv

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lilhotdog t1_iy89932 wrote

I just renewed mine.

  1. Renewed online
  2. Got photo card paper in the mail
  3. Went into DMV to get new photo taken
  4. Received new ID in the mail within a week or so

If you didn't get your photo card in the mail, I would go into the DMV and see what they can do for you.

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skoooooter t1_iy92952 wrote

How long after submitting the online renewal did you get the photo card in the mail?

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PadishahEmperor t1_iy8pc5a wrote

If you have a passport the real ID is a waste of time/money.

The only things you need a real ID for are entering Airports, Federal buildings that require ID, or Military bases. If you have a passport that will let you do these things as that is better than a real ID. If you don't have a passport and don't need to do any of those things a Real ID is a waste of time and money.

https://www.inquirer.com/philly-tips/real-id-pennsylvania.html

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106473 t1_iy92nza wrote

Real ID in it's entirely has been a waste of time and money

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Benanov t1_iy8m1lg wrote

Honestly? Real ID is a joke. My wife recently renewed her REAL ID license and got a new one marked NOT FOR REAL ID PURPOSES. You have to bring the documents EVERY RENEWAL in person apparently.

If you can afford it, get a Passport. A Passport is considered a REAL ID and lasts 10 years, not 5.

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Snarktoberfest t1_iy9pf11 wrote

Get the passport card! You don't want to be carrying your book around, but the card is license sized. Also, unlike your license, you can use it get back in to the states on the ground from Canada or Mexico.

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pa_bourbon t1_iyb3rdb wrote

Has PA Real ID even been out long enough to need a renewal? Or was she transferring from out of state?

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tedwardsdesign t1_iy8fhcc wrote

Call you local state reps office. I just had a registration issue go on for 6 months and it would still be without their help.

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jasons_jukebox t1_iy8dubu wrote

Just go in person and ask what is going on. One thing to bear in mind - you had holidays in November, you are not that far out from 15 business days. Still, just go check in person.

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Past-Pomelo-7386 t1_iy8ov74 wrote

If you’re a married woman who took your husbands name you will have to get a copy of your marriage certificate to prove that the name on the birth certificate was your maiden name.

Overall, the process is a huge pain in the ass

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MagentaMist t1_iyakqra wrote

I got married in one state, divorced in another.

If it's good enough for Social Security it should be good for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Men don't have to jump through these hoops.

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just_play_one_on_tv t1_iy96zry wrote

AND divorce decree if you have had multiple marriages, and hence, name changes.

Never again.

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bronowyn t1_iyb81ps wrote

I was waiting for a fellow female to chime in. I got SO FUCKING FRUSTRATED with the process, I threw up my hands and I’ll just use my passport for flights. They rejected me because my license and registration didn’t list the same name. I said they are BOTH the DMV. Apparently, they don’t care. To make us ladies feel better if doing funky name aerobics, PA is def not the only state with problems with women getting their REAL ID.

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wagsman t1_iy8gr3a wrote

Did you give them copies of all the supporting documents? If not you would need to bring those documents to the DMV because that's what really qualifies you for the Real ID

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Excelius t1_iy8ji4k wrote

Certain people could be "pre-verified" for Real ID and not have to produce any additional documentation, and could apply for their Real ID entirely online, because they first applied for their ID after PennDOT had made those documents part of the standard process.

https://www.dmv.pa.gov/REALID/Pages/default.aspx > If you received your FIRST Pennsylvania driver's license, learner's permit, or photo ID card AFTER September 1, 2003, PennDOT may already have your REAL ID documentation on file.

Basically if they're under the age of 35, they probably didn't need to supply any additional documentation in person because PennDOT already had it from when they first got their license.

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happyxpenguin t1_iy8opq5 wrote

It’s random. My brother was able to get pre-verified entirely but I had to go in. Both of us received our learners and license after 2003. Mine in 2010/2011 and his 2014/2015

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ProbablyAtDialysis t1_iy8s0b6 wrote

I did the Real ID pre-check before Covid. Never got a response and when I try to resubmit it says still processing.

I assume it was lost in the cracks and based on this thread I need to hit the DMV to find out what's going on? Cool. I'll keep waiting until I actually need one.

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TigerPride95 t1_iy89og2 wrote

Go to a drivers license center in person.

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Confident_End_3848 t1_iy8hb5u wrote

So are you saying that you went to the drivers license center to convert to a real id and they haven’t mailed it to you?

When I switched to a real id, I had the new id in my mailbox within a week. If you go to a center, I’d go to one that can print a real id onsite, if there is one close enough.

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sneakysquid102 t1_iy8tf47 wrote

Keep badgering the dmv and get evidence to prove you keep checking on it. That way if a cop asks you can prove its not you. You may have to fight it in court. But u will win.

You'll never get on the phone with penndot. Because let me tell u something. Thier a bunch of lazy ass monkeys. And thats just the bottom line

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Bird_Brain4101112 t1_iy8b154 wrote

Go to PennDOT in person and ask them what’s up.

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[deleted] t1_iy8k19l wrote

[deleted]

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smashley52 t1_iy8rodx wrote

No you don’t. Once you’re real id you’re good, unless you change name or move out of state, probably some other variables that would require you to bring additional documents. But no if it’s just a simple non commercial renewal you shouldn’t need anything.

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just_play_one_on_tv t1_iy9787z wrote

Don't listen to anyone else. I took it for granted they would have everything on "file", but usually the attitude proves otherwise.

Bring everything and anything.

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pa_bourbon t1_iyb462p wrote

Get an adjustable wrench - much easier to detach the kitchen sink than looking for the exact size.

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Signal-Maize309 t1_iy8mv0g wrote

I did not think you could get in through the mail unless you had a newer license

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vivamario t1_iy8nj4x wrote

In my opinion, unless you need to get into federal facilities, the $40 you would spend renewing the Real ID for 10 years is better spent put towards a passport.

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smashley52 t1_iy8rezo wrote

Go to a Real ID Penndot location wand walk out same day with one. If it was done within 90 days, it’s probably free issue.

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Serious-Candidate-74 t1_iy90glm wrote

I ended up having issues with the website and went to the dmv. They took care of everything there. Idk what it is about government websites… but they all suck. In person is the way.

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ask_the_fisherman t1_iy90nu4 wrote

Check with a local state rep. They help with stupid government shit. They have phone numbers that go through. They will talk to someone and find out the problem and help get it resolved.

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Rod___father t1_iy92e1j wrote

Just went through this with my id. Took way longer then they said.

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Slashcut_101 t1_iy972oa wrote

Make sure you're going to the correct DMV tho. Some don't have the ability to print the license on site. Any of the larger ones should be fine.

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alphalimahotel t1_iy97w3o wrote

Call (do not email) your State Rep or State Senator. They can expedite your documents and have direct contact with the Department of Transportation.

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tjg1023 t1_iy99uiw wrote

I renewed online and took the forms with my birth certificate and 2 utility bills the driver license center in my town and walked out with a real ID less than 39 minutes later. Lehigh valley FWIW.

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Prometheus_303 t1_iy9b8x5 wrote

Take everything you need for Real ID with you and stop off at your local DMV.

You can talk to someone in person who should be able to pull up your file and see what's up.

And maybe they can take you back and process your new ID right there.

That's what we did awhile back. Mom's license was expiring and she figured she might as well get a Real ID. I still had a few years left on my license but I grabbed my social security card, passport etc and went with her to the DMV. It was snowing that day so there was only like 2 other people there so it was a short wait.

They called us up, we explained why we were there. He checked to make sure we had everything and then took us back. They copied what they needed to copy, entered what they needed to enter etc... I'm pretty sure I stayed on the testing side but mom might have had to go over to have her photo taken.

Took maybe 30/45min and we were done. They gave us a sheet of paper, that verified mom's expiring ID was being processed. He wasn't sure if my ID needed it since it still had a few years left but gave me one to, just in case.

A week or so later our new IDs showed up in the mail.

I was curious how the expiration date would be on mine since I got it on mom's birthday rather than mine ... But they just added 4 years to it, as if I had gone in at a normal time... So instead of expiring this year on my birthday it expired in '26 on my birthday ...

[I should try to renew my passport early hopefully they do similar with that since I somehow managed to get one that expires on 4 July. Thought that was fitting for a US passport]

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GIDAMIEN t1_iy9hfel wrote

any title/tag place can help you out.

but if you renewed, you are all good, lack of the physical card is,, well almost irrelevant. if you get pulled over, show your email receipt.

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pa_bourbon t1_iyb4ehk wrote

The title/tag places don’t do licenses. Need to go to the DMV.

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CrzyDave t1_iy9y3o5 wrote

If you live near south Whitehall go there. Even if it is an hour drive it’s worth it if you have your proper documents. It’s huge and they can issue a real I’d on the spot. Almost no wait for me or anyone else I sent there. It’s an hour drive from us too. Worst case they issue a regular license to get you by. I’d just pay the $60 again to get it done then worry about the refund later. Did your check even clear? Maybe it was lost in the mail. Maybe call the s. Whitehall DMV.

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JoshS1 t1_iyb1yo2 wrote

When I came here and transferred my license I walked in the DMV and walked out with a hard copy fresh license in about 45min.

Have you tried going to the DMV?

Of course like any government institution be sure to go online research all applicable forms fill them out print them and take them with you. Also be sure you have e any required documentation for REAL ID. Honestly you might just have to wait for it to come in the mail.

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dmriggs t1_iy8rrsj wrote

Sorry this happened to you. And I looked into the requirements for a real ID I just gave up, and decided to just get a passport. So much easier

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rjb327 t1_iy8vbpo wrote

1 you won’t get in trouble for getting pulled over with out your ID. You just tell them your ID # and explain your waiting for the duplicate in the mail, and your temp has expired. No cop is going to give you a ticket for that it’s not your fault and everyone knows especially since the pandemic the DMV has been awful esp up in Harrisburg

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Ham_Ahoy t1_iy8vz72 wrote

Step one: Get a passport if you don't already have one. Step two: do not get a REAL ID.

It's unacceptable that the federal government does not recognize identification issued by the great Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as "acceptable" identification, and we have to get some sort of a different ID card above and beyond our normal drivers licenses and state id cards. Pennsylvanians are not second class citizens and we are not a second class state. We are the keystone state and we need to start acting like it.

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pa_bourbon t1_iyb424m wrote

The feds didn’t just single out PA with the real ID rules. It’s nationwide.

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Ham_Ahoy t1_iybb9ys wrote

Plenty of states regular identification cards were deemed acceptable by the federal government while others were ruled to be nothing more than scraps of paper with the scribbles of criminals on them, and those "people" are being required to purchase secondary identification cards. Florida drivers licenses, as an example, are considered "real id" by default in the feds eyes, yet Pennsylvanians are being held over a barrel

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pa_bourbon t1_iybd87n wrote

The feds applied one set of rules to what could be considered a real ID. States that didn’t qualify were required to tighten up the process and require more documentation to get the license. All this means is that Floridians already had a higher bar to getting a license than PA residents did prior to the real ID act.

It’s not the grand conspiracy you think it is.

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Ham_Ahoy t1_iycgc8k wrote

I don't think of this as a conspiracy. I just don't like living in a world where the fed refuses to accept what my commonwealth approved as a safe, secure ID card. Pennsylvania is just as valid as any other state and we should be treated as such. I hope you like the taste of boots.

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pa_bourbon t1_iycgmhp wrote

Of course. Go to the boot licking conspiracy bullshit. If you don’t like the requirements, then don’t get an ID that has the stronger requirements and don’t participate in the aspects of society that require the more stringent identification (federal buildings, airports, etc).

Oh wait, you advocated for passports and were fine with those even though getting a passport has the same ID requirements as a real ID license. So you just want to bitch. Got it.

Feds flow laws and requirements down. Not the other way around. You have a fundamentally flawed view of the way our system works too.

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susinpgh t1_iycvo1l wrote

TBH, I think the Real ID federal requirements are bullshit. It cost me >$75 to get the paperwork together for Real ID; I had to for my job so that I could travel. But for some low-income individuals, this can be a real burden. So they can't get into a federal building to conduct necessary business? That's hardly equitable.

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Ham_Ahoy t1_iycxs7f wrote

Passports are roughly the same cost with better benefits.

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pa_bourbon t1_iycxfl2 wrote

There is a program in PA to get a free ID.

https://www.dot.state.pa.us/public/DVSPubsForms/BDL/BDL%20Fact%20Sheets/FS-HomelessID.pdf

It does say that the $30 real ID fee cannot be waived though. I suspect that has something to do with the checks and verifications that happen that require system fees to process.

It’s not perfect but the federal government has decided that certain federal activities require an ID that has tougher standards to obtain. The alternate choice is to not participate in those activities. The federal law has been in place since 2005. Pennsylvania was one of the last states to hold out. That’s because the Republicans that ran the state legislature through that time were all grand conspiracy theorists.

The other poster that I replied to said Florida IDs comply. That’s because even bat shit crazy conspiracy Florida land decided to comply with the law in the period while Pennsylvania was still holding out since 2005.

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susinpgh t1_iycydkl wrote

It cost me money to get my birth certificate and marriage license from out of state. The program you mention is only for the homeless.

My point is that it is a bullshit law imposed by the federal government and that it is inequitable, placing an undue burden on low income citizens.

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Ham_Ahoy t1_iycxqg3 wrote

Yes. Get a passport. It's fine. Anyone trying to tell Pennamites their ID doesn't qualify as REAL ID needs to be put in their place. That requirement seems neither necessary nor proper to me. I don't know what YOUR views are on the elastic clause but I have a idea. Nice job, shill.

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pa_bourbon t1_iyd0wv7 wrote

Prior to the enactment of the PA real ID the PA license didn’t qualify under the federal guidelines. You don’t make those rules and requirements - the feds did. Tough shit. Adults make decisions. Sometimes life isn’t fair.

The law has been in place since 2005. PA just chose to drag their feet since then because the republican legislature had its head up its ass and decided to be one of the last holdouts.

Even conspiracy theory haven Florida complied.

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Ham_Ahoy t1_iyd520u wrote

Oh get your head out o Carrie del rossios ass and grow a spine.

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pa_bourbon t1_iyd6tua wrote

While the children sit in the corner and kick and scream about the rules that the rest of us operate under, the adults will continue functioning as a normal society and move forward.

How well did that approach work in the last election? Everyone living within the grand conspiracy theory seems to have lost. The country is moving on. You can continue to sit off on the side and be left behind if you’d like.

Since you’ve run out of points and are only left with insults, I guess we’re done here. Not surprising.

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Ham_Ahoy t1_iydhon8 wrote

I'm advocating getting a passport (from the federal government) that provides MUCH more benefits at roughly the same cost as a "real id," something that is nothing more than a scam, disenfranchising good Pennamites by the strong arm of the federal government. It is a feckless, absurd, unnecessary identification card. You are advocating what exactly? Less power at a local level? Get a grip, buddy.

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pa_bourbon t1_iydjjre wrote

I have both. I have a passport (both the book and the card) for international travel and a real ID drivers license. The drivers license is a hell of a lot easier to carry in your wallet and much more convenient for domestic air travel. TSA now inserts drivers licenses into an electronic reader for an instant ID check at domestic airports without needing to scan a boarding pass. Passports take longer in that process. I fly 100+ flights a year. Convenience trumps the conspiracy shit and the fact that you are saddened that the standard PA license doesn’t meet the security rules to participate fully in society.

Convenience is also the reason I have the passport card. Way easier at driving borders into Canada. I even gave the feds my iris scan and prints to get global entry due to extensive international trips. The convenience is worth it. I’m not hiding from anyone or fearful of enrolling in those programs - the convenience more than outweighs the non-existent risk. Never once has a black van full of government operatives showed up at the house either.

Before you get excited, that’s trump with a small “t” used as a verb. I wasn’t referring to the orange dipshit from Florida.

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Ham_Ahoy t1_iydls4d wrote

I'm sure you'll be happy to eat the bugs, too. What a loser. You gave your iris scan to the Federal government for a modicum of convenience? No wonder my ID is worthless with shills like you walking around.

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pa_bourbon t1_iydmij2 wrote

WTF bugs are you talking about? That modicum of convenience saves hours of my life waiting in line at JFK after international trips (I did 12 this year alone). I waltz thru immigration and customs while the conspiracy nuts and stupid people stand in the one line they leave open for the people that live in the past.

My time is too valuable for that shit.

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_SundaeDriver t1_iy8afu4 wrote

My mom, who can’t figure out how to send a text message, just got one. It can’t be too hard.

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[deleted] t1_iy894qm wrote

[deleted]

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Cinemaslap1 t1_iy8ab4v wrote

Reddit kinda is the place for this... Others in the comment section have already been helpful by pushing them to go to the DMV. Others have said they dealt with this to and it was resolved by going to the DMV.

Reddit literally has the answer, in this case.

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