A REAL ID is a Federal Security Standard for IDs that was created in 2005 as a result of increased federal security measures after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Beginning May 7, 2025, every air traveler 18 years of age and older will need a REAL ID compliant driver’s license or identification card, or another TSA-acceptable form of identification, for domestic air travel and to enter certain federal facilities.
A Standard credential is a valid form of for driving or identification purposes but is not accepted for federal purposes.
Do I have a choice of driver license/ID types?
Whether you are getting a new driver's license/ID or renewing your existing credential, the first decision you’ll need to make is, Standard driver’s license/ID or REAL ID driver's license/ID?
The cost to obtain a REAL or Standard driver's license/ID card is the same.
What is a Standard driver's license/ID?
- Is a valid driver’s license or identification card
- Is not valid as a form of federal ID
- Can be renewed online without going to the RMV
- Has “NOT FOR FEDERAL ID” displayed on the card
What is a REAL ID driver's license/ID?
- Is a valid driver’s license or identification card
- Is valid as a form of federal ID
- Requires an in-person visit
- Has a star displayed on the document to indicate that is a federally compliant card
Documents and Applications that Cannot be Accepted
The RMV reserves the right to not accept any application if it has a good faith reason* to believe any of the following:
- Any document presented is not genuine or has been altered, defaced, or rendered unreadable to such an extent that it cannot be relied on.
- Any document contains a photograph or photoimage of the applicant that bears little or no resemblance to the applicant.
- The applicant is not the individual represented in the application and supporting documents.
- The applicant does not satisfy the requirement for SSN, lawful presence/date of birth, or Massachusetts residency.
- The applicant has presented an SSN that does not validate as being issued to him/her, or was not obtained in a lawful manner from the U.S. Social Security Administration.
*A “good faith reason” is one that is based on objective facts and observations, such as statements from the applicant, or information obtained from usually reliable sources.
The Registry will initiate electronic checks for most identification documents with national and state databases. This process provides validity responses back to the RMV within seconds for the vast majority. However, some checks will require additional time for research or may be subject to manual review. This does not mean that your transaction has been denied. It simply means the verifying information is not readily available and additional time is required. These cases are generally resolved within three to five business days, but in rare occasions may be up to twenty days. Your Customer Service Representative will provide you with additional instructions.
Review of Documents and Applications that are Not Accepted
If one or more of the documents you present when applying for a driver’s license, learner’s permit, or ID card is not accepted and your transaction is not processed because you do not have other acceptable documents with you, you have several options, as described in the next section.
Initial Decision and Your Options
After reviewing your documents, if the RMV Service Center Representative rejects your documents, or if your documents do not pass the electronic check, you may choose to correct the problem, such as by obtaining the appropriate documents and returning later with a new application. You may also seek further review by a supervisor. If the electronic checks require additional time for research, the Customer Service Center Representative will provide you with additional instructions. If the RMV cannot process your application, you will be provided a form indicating the reason(s). This is the Application Status Letter. You may appeal the RMV’s final decision within ten days of being denied.
Penalties for Presenting Fraudulent Documents
Severe penalties are imposed on a person who violates the law in obtaining or possessing a driver’s license, learner’s permit, or ID card. Following is a brief description of some of those penalties.
- Whoever loans or knowingly permits his or her license or learner’s permit to operate motor vehicles to be used by any person, or whoever makes false statements in an application for such a license or learner’s permit, or whoever knowingly makes any false statements in an application for registration of a motor vehicle, shall be punished by a fine of not less than $20 nor more than $200 dollars or by imprisonment for not less than two weeks nor more than two years or both (MGL c.90, §24).
- Whoever falsely makes, steals, alters, forges, or counterfeits or procures or helps another falsely make, steal, alter, forge, or counterfeit a learner’s permit, a license to operate motor vehicles, or an ID card or whoever has or uses such a permit, license, or ID card may be punished by a fine of not more than $500 or imprisonment in a state prison for up to five years or in a jail or house of correction for not more than two years (M.G.L. c.90, §24B).
- Anyone who falsely impersonates the person named in the application for a license or learner’s permit, or anyone who procures or helps another to falsely impersonate the person named in the application, or who uses a name other than his or her own to falsely obtain such a license, or whoever possesses or uses a license or permit to operate a motor vehicle that was obtained in such a manner shall be subject to the penalties described in MGL c.90, §24B. Whoever is convicted of a violation of MGL c.90, §24B, shall also have his or her license, or right to operate, suspended for a minimum of one year.
Any person who swears or affirms falsely in regard to any matter or thing respecting which an oath or affirmation is required by the RMV or by MGL c. 90 shall be deemed guilty of perjury (MGL c.90, §28). In addition, falsification of any information provided to obtain, renew, transfer, or upgrade a driver’s license or learner’s permit may result in a suspension of driving privileges.
