How to Obtain Real ID in Oregon

Beginning in 2022, when renewing your Oregon driver’s license, permit or ID card you’ll have the option of selecting a Real ID. That is because the Transportation Security Administration will require Real ID-compliant identification when boarding domestic flights beginning May of 2023; if you already possess other forms of documentation meeting federal requirements for travel such as passports or ID cards you can continue using those when travelling.

But for many immigrants, the process of acquiring a Real ID may be more challenging than expected. Proving citizenship may be hard if one does not hold citizenship documents themselves or has lost them over time; waiting times also vary greatly between states: in Oregon for instance, appointments at DMV offices must be scheduled during regular business hours in order to gain one.

Oregon lawmakers are working hard to change that. They’re pushing to eliminate the requirement of citizenship proof before being eligible to obtain a standard driver’s license, joining other states which have done so. Doing so would allow more people to drive – especially rural areas with limited public transit where driving is essential to getting jobs. Diego Hernandez sponsored this bill which has many cosponsors, yet opponents claim voters could turn against them since voters overturned a similar effort back in 2013. That claim simply isn’t accurate.