‘Irritating, annoying and unexpected’: Hundreds swarm DMVs ahead of REAL ID deadline

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - Hundreds filed into DMV offices across the metro ahead of the deadline to get the REAL ID.

The REAL ID law was passed in 2005 following the 9/11 attacks. It was supposed to go into effect in 2008. But kept being pushed back. Now, come May 7, a gold star on your license will be your ticket to fly this summer.

On Tuesday, the Homeland Security Chief said travelers without one can still fly for now but may need to take some extra steps.

KCTV5 went to the DMV off Emanuel Cleaver Boulevard, where people were turned away before noon because there were too many people.

“It was disappointing,” said Larry Davis, who was turned away and told to come back the next day. “We have a deadline, and then they tell us we can’t get it done before the deadline.”

Across town in North Kansas City, some people waited up to five hours to get their ID.

“It’s irritating, annoying, and unexpected,” said Summer Ragan, who dove to North KC after she was turned away. “I couldn’t get a ticket because they were packed. Now I’m over here, and they’re packed too, so I’m like, man, when am I going to get one? It’s just crazy.”

KCTV5 asked people why they waited until the last minute to get their ID. Some said they forgot about the deadline; others said they tried to do so before but didn’t have the correct paperwork, and others even said their wallets had recently been stolen.

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