Starting July 2, there will be changes in the procedures on obtaining a driver’s license. The changes are being made to comply with federal regulations and ensure greater security and identification protection.
In the past, if one is renewing a license, they would bring in their own license, take an eye test, get their picture taken, answer a few questions and leave with a brand new license. The only change in that scenario, starting July 2, is that the license will not be available at that time, but will be mailed, usually within ten days. A temporary license will be issued at the time of the transaction at Deputy Registrar offices, according to North Royalton Deputy Registrar Aldo Filippelli. This measure will allow the state to provide a single location that will produce both driver’s licenses and identification cards.
Another thing that will change starting on July 2 is that residents will have an option to have either a standard Ohio Driver’s License/ Identification (ID) Card or a REAL ID Driver’s license. The latter will allow drivers to use their driver’s license as identification for situations like boarding an airplane. Starting on October 1, 2020, the federal government will require your driver license or identification (ID) card to be REAL ID compliant if you wish to use it to board a domestic flight or enter military bases and most federal facilities.
The Department of Homeland Security announced on December 20, 2013 a phased enforcement plan for the REAL ID Act.“Secure driver’s licenses and identification documents are a vital component of our national security framework,” according to Department of Homeland Security officials. “The REAL ID Act, passed by Congress in 2005, enacted the 9/11 Commission’s recommendation that the Federal Government “set standards for the issuance of sources of identification, such as driver’s licenses.” The Act established minimum security standards for license issuance and production and prohibits Federal Agencies from accepting for certain purposes driver’s licenses and identification cards from states not meeting the Act’s minimum standards. The purposes covered by the Act are: accessing Federal facilities, entering nuclear power plants, and, no sooner than 2016, boarding federally regulated commercial aircraft.”
In order to get the REAL ID Driver’s license, the following must be provided at the time of applying for a new or renewed license/ID:
-Identification that establish name, date of birth and legal presence ( such as a birth certificate, US Passport.
-Proof of social security number (Such as Social Security card, W-2, recent tax return).
-Two proofs of address (Such as utility or bank statements/bills or other bills).
A listing of all acceptable source documents can be found at https://services.dps.ohio.gov/BMVOnlineServices/DL/AcceptableDocuments. The names on all of these documents much be exactly the same. The documents will be scanned and kept on the DMV database.

By GLORIA PLEVA KACIK
Contributing Writer