Statewide Iowa — The deadline to get your driver’s license upgraded to a Real ID has changed a couple of times, but it now is set for May 3rd of 2023.
The DOT’s Kayla Burkett says it’s a change designed to make travel easier.
Burkett says you can upgrade your driver’s license by making an appointment at a DOT service center, and bring in some documentation.
She says you also need to prove your residency with two pieces of mail that include your name and address. And if your last name is different than the name on your identity document, you would need to provide proof of name change. Burkett says the process to check the documents and issue your Real ID license will take around 15 minutes. She suggests those who have a license that is expiring gather all the documents and make the change when their license is renewed.
Burkett says a majority of Iowa drivers have already taken the steps to get the Real ID star on their license.
Burkett says with six months to go, there’s plenty of time to get the Real ID to make it easier to fly.
She says the lag time for scheduling an appointment at the DOT centers is about two weeks. They do accept walk ins — but you will have to wait a little longer than those who have an appointment. Burkett says the DOT’s county locations each do things a little differently — with some requiring an appointment — while some don’t.
