Getting a Real ID was much more complicated than just renewing, but I went ahead with it. I wasn't sure whether I'd need it, but I got it just in case. I'm not really able to say whether the extra hassle would be worthwhile to your spouse, though .

If your spouse has to renew his license, I would highly recommend getting the Real ID. In addition to needing it for flying, there are some federal buildings that won't let you in without it. There may be some other qualifications as well. Best to look on your State's DMV website to tell you the specifics.

It was really no more of a hassle than getting an enhanced NY State driver license that let me travel into Canada without a passport.

It wasn't any more complicated than a regular renewal, I just confirmed all my info.

Of course, FL required a lot of identifying documents (compared to CA, anyway) when I moved here & got my first FL license, so maybe the things that need to be checked for a Real ID had already been checked?

but here in New Mexico they want to see your Social Security card. Mine states on it Not To Be Used for Identification Purposes. Not sure what's going to happen when I need to renew mine. I renewed a month or so early a couple of years ago precisely to avoid the bullshit. Plus, the clerks at the MVD here keep on demanding documents that are not required. There have been many articles and letters to the editor about it.

A while back, even though he seemed to have the correct paperwork, the clerk was insisting on something else, and even though she recognized the man, turned away the former Mayor of Santa Fe. Hmmm. I wonder what happens when George RR Martin goes to renew his license here. I might ask him the next time I see him.

NM also has similar alternatives, which I can readily provide, but it's the SS# that I think should not be part of this process. And in my state, you need to be willing to give it for the permission to drive version of the license, so there's no point in doing that since I have to give them almost the same documentation.

Pisses me off.

I have a passport, and a passport card that is in my wallet at all times, just in case I suddenly need to leave the country. So while I one hand I could bypass the Real ID bullshit, the one thing I object to I can't get around.

Really pisses me off.

Like you I renewed my license last year and may just wait until I have to renew it again as I do have a passport.

What I find really odd about the whole scam is that it's easier to get a passport (more expensive, but it's good for 10 years) than the stupid license and the passport is just fine for flying. I guess if you're driving into Canada or Mexico you can just use the real ID so it might make sense if you live near one of the borders otherwise, I just don't understand the point.

per se but documents that make it a bit more complicated.

I remember bringing more than what was required in case one of my forms of proof wasn't sufficient.

I say w2 but it can be other tax forms I just don't remember them all now.

I got the real ID a couple years ago (shortly after the first post) & I honestly don't remember filling out a form - with a lot of questions. But I did most the set up online so a form wouldn't seem as painful. Did you mean the enhanced ID? (I didn't get that one as I have a passport)

I was more annoyed that you have to show more paperwork to get this than you do a passport (indeed, the passport can be part of the paperwork you show up with). In fact, you have to show more ID for this than when you apply with the TSA for a known traveler ID.

I got mine only a year after I had renewed my license but I decided to do it the deadline was approaching and I didn't want to leave it until the last minute (the deadline has been changed again). Much to my surprise, becasue I applied for it as early as I did, I was given a license with with the remaining 3 years of my current license on it + an addtional 4 years. That was kind of cool.