MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- A requirement 20 years into the making went into effect Wednesday. The REAL ID is a new requirement to board domestic flights and enter federal buildings. The REAL ID will have a small star on the corner of your driver's license or state-issued ID.
At the Milwaukee Central DMV, there were long lines on deadline day. We’re told the DMV will typically see about 300 people per day, but as the REAL ID deadline approached, it was closer to 500 people.
Luis Segovia, alongside Daisy Feliciano, went to the DMV Wednesday morning to be met with long lines. They said they’re getting the new REAL ID in order to travel to DC with students, but quickly turned around as they didn’t have enough time for the hours-long line.
Some flyers at the Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport had also run into that same issue of a long wait time. That includes flyers Shannon Ward and Brett Pierce, who said, “We went and tried to get [the REAL ID] but it was too long of a line, so we turned around and decided to use our passports."
Meanwhile, other flyers said they got their REAL IDs years ago. Michael Dunsky shared he was renewing his driver's license, describing the process as “a piece of cake, easy, simple and quick”.
The initiative is 20 years in the making, with the goal of flying being safer, shared Patricia Mancha, TSA media spokesperson. “REAL ID is a very visible layer of security that provides that reinforcement, that verification of someone's identity.”
“I hope it's safer for everybody. Easier? I don't know, we'll wait and see what happens. It doesn't seem like a big inconvenience,” said Dunsky.
In Wisconsin, the Department of Transportation shares that about 65% of residents have already gotten theirs. If you need a REAL ID, you’ll need to bring documentation of proof of identity, proof of a Social Security number and proof of residency.
If you still haven't gotten your REAL ID and don't want to wait for hours at the DMV, you can set up an appointment ahead of time online. Esther Hernandez, supervisor at Milwaukee Central DMV, shares, “My biggest recommendation is to go on our website, it's an amazing website that's user-friendly. You can get an appointment there and avoid wait times, that's my biggest advice.”