Getting a real id.

 

I guess it's sort of like a TSA Pre-check in that it's a prestige item or id that you don't need and don't have to pay for, but you figure might come in handy sometime. Foregoing Pre-Check for now. Taking your shoes off is a nice aerobic while you are at the airport. I used to get it free when I was using United. Occasionally it came in handy, I don't fly as much now, both parents in their graves and I'm too cheap to pay $75.

Anyway, the sort of domestic equivalent is getting a REAL ID. I saw somewhere that you could get a REAL ID in New Jersey. I thought it would come in handy. I won't have to bring my Passport now when I go from state to state. That means I won't leave my passport in a hotel or bar somewhere. It will be home instead, nuzzled into its home. I found the website and made an appointment for REAL ID.    

I went through the list of things I had to bring. Passport, driver's license, bank statement. I brought paper documents, but I wonder if they would accept pictures from web pages. I noticed one clerk putting his hands between him and a proffered cell phone. I guess they don't want to read from your cell phone. They don't require a Social Security card but will accept a 1099 form that had it written on it. Still, none of the clerks were interested in looking for my Social Security number. Once they had the passport, all systems were on go.  

So, let's go through my day. The parking lot was busy, but I managed to squeeze next to a pickup truck. Immediately I walked to what I thought was the correct building. A man asked me what I was looking for. I said, "Real ID". I was standing on the side of the vehicle inspection center garage. He pointed me to the Motor Vehicles office. "It's that way, bub"

There was a line of one person outside the main entrance. When he entered, I followed in behind him. No point wasting all that air conditioning. I noticed the smell of something I later identified as pot near the inside door.  I said to myself that must be the local dispensary.  Or at least customers of that establishment.

I first waited in a short line while the clerk dealed with a young man with a difficult and complicated problem. I believe she told him he had to go to Trenton. Turning to me she looked for my name in the book. She found it!  I was quickly shown the line for REAL ID. 

A family having a lively conversation in Urdu was at the head of the next line. The daughter appeared to be the peacemaker. Soon it was my turn, I saw the next clerk. She looked at my stuff and gave me a tiny slip of paper and told me to sit in the chairs and wait for my number to be announced or put on one of the tv screen.

One change from the last time I went is that they no longer call you on the cell phone. Security concerns, perhaps.

After about half an hour I noticed my number was on the board. A minute later I heard my number on the speakers. I was a tight squeeze getting to the final desk. This time the clerk typed and took photos of my stuff. She took my picture. I looked grumpy. 

"If you don't like your picture I can take it again" the clerk offered. Sweet,   She took a second picture and I was all smiles. She said I would get my new license in the mail. She then gave me a sheet which I signed. Apparently that sheet was my temporary license. The cost was eleven dollars. They give you credit for your prior driver's license payment. Unfortumately, I don't think it moves up the date of your driver license expiration date. That would be nice. 

Editor's note: I wrote another blog on motor vehicles in 06. Apparently they used to call your cell phone back in the day.