Time to renew my driver's license
By Lena Kovadlo
@lovebuglena (52144)
Staten Island, New York
November 8, 2021 4:31pm CST
It is time to renew my driver's license. Since I need to complete a vision test I have to go to the DMV as they do it there. I have to make an appointment though. When you make an appointment online you have to select what exactly you are going there for. I looked through the options and it seems that if you are renewing your standard license you cannot take a photo. I get that we are in covid times but it makes no sense that we can't get our photo taken. I wanted to update mine.
I found out that starting 2023 (forget exact date) we will need a Real ID driver's license to travel within the US. I think it is a good idea to upgrade to that. This way I don't have to carry my US passport with me when traveling within the country. Seems like there is no additional fee for that. I do need a recent bank or credit card statement for that and it has to be printed. I opted out of receiving paper statements so have no recent ones to give. I do not have a printer either, so not sure how to get a printed copy. I do not want to use the library for that. I wonder if my bank can print one out for me.
9 people like this
8 responses
@lovebuglena (52144)
• Staten Island, New York
8 Nov 21
Maybe it depends on where you live?
1 person likes this
@RubyHawk (99367)
• Atlanta, Georgia
8 Nov 21
@lovebuglena I suppose. I live in Georgia.
1 person likes this
@lovebuglena (52144)
• Staten Island, New York
8 Nov 21
@RubyHawk I guess I won't know for sure until I am in the actual DMV office.
1 person likes this
@Courtlynn (67089)
• United States
9 Nov 21
Hmm.. here they did new photos for everything leople had done.
@lovebuglena (52144)
• Staten Island, New York
9 Nov 21
Guess I won’t know till I get to the DMV. Maybe if I choose to get the Real ID they will let me take a photo.
1 person likes this
@lovebuglena (52144)
• Staten Island, New York
10 Nov 21
@Courtlynn They had me take a photo. I hope it won't be worse than the one I currently have.
1 person likes this
@rsa101 (40946)
• Philippines
10 Nov 21
@lovebuglena That is really nice that you were given the notice to remind you of your expiring license. In my place, if you forgot about it, you will never be reminded and have to pay the penalty for that. I also do not drive in my place and use that for ID purposes as well.
1 person likes this
@lovebuglena (52144)
• Staten Island, New York
9 Nov 21
I never drive and mainly use my driver’s license as an ID. 
I got a renewal thing in the mail. That’s how I knew time to renew. Didn’t realize it was gonna expire this year.
I got a renewal thing in the mail. That’s how I knew time to renew. Didn’t realize it was gonna expire this year.1 person likes this
@lovebuglena (52144)
• Staten Island, New York
10 Nov 21
@rsa101 There is a fee here as well if you do not renew it in time.
@RebeccasFarm (91299)
• United States
9 Nov 21
I already have a real ID..got it last time I renewed drivers license.
Coincidentally, mine is now up for renewal too Lena.
However, I choose not to go into the DMV and deal with possible aggravated government employees.
We can renew online after age 65, but I need proof of an eye exam.
So I will go over there and get one, have to pay for it.
And then renew online.
I hope I do not forget to do that now.
Good luck with yours.
@RebeccasFarm (91299)
• United States
9 Nov 21
@lovebuglena Yes I understand Lena..for me, I would rather pay the money than to go in..but thats just me.
1 person likes this
@lovebuglena (52144)
• Staten Island, New York
9 Nov 21
@RebeccasFarm Too much stress for me to try to find a place to get a vision test and then submit the form.
1 person likes this
@lovebuglena (52144)
• Staten Island, New York
9 Nov 21
We can renew by mail or online I think regardless of age. I don't have to go to the DMV to renew but then I need to submit a vision test form, which will require me to get a vision test elsewhere and I don't want to deal with that, especially since it is free at the DMV. Elsewhere I probably have to pay.
1 person likes this
@lovebuglena (52144)
• Staten Island, New York
8 Nov 21
I wasn't sure if they can do that but I will stop by a branch.
1 person likes this
@lovebuglena (52144)
• Staten Island, New York
8 Nov 21
@NJChicaa Thanks. Good to know.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (222222)
• United States
9 Nov 21
I plan on getting the "passport" license maybe next year. I would use the library copier. The bank can probably give you a copy; but they may charge for it.
@lovebuglena (52144)
• Staten Island, New York
9 Nov 21
Really? How much would they charge?
1 person likes this
@lovebuglena (52144)
• Staten Island, New York
9 Nov 21
You mean enhanced license? That’s only good for land or sea travel, if you wanna go to Canada, etc. Not for flying.
1 person likes this
@lovebuglena (52144)
• Staten Island, New York
9 Nov 21
I went to Chase and they were able to print out a statement for me. No charge.
1 person likes this
@kaylachan (84703)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
8 Nov 21
You can contact the bank and request one. Good luck with the I.D. thing. I've never had trouble traveling with my Florida I.D. card. I've never had a passport or anything like that.
@lovebuglena (52144)
• Staten Island, New York
8 Nov 21
Regular license is ok for now but they are gonna require a real ID one soon. Not sure why they are doing that. Just like I don't get why it seems I can't take a photo if I renew my regular license. I wonder if upgrading to a Real ID allows photo taking or not.
@LadyDuck (502148)
• Italy
10 Nov 21
@lovebuglena Those who drive must have both. I do not drive I only have the Real ID.
1 person likes this
@lovebuglena (52144)
• Staten Island, New York
9 Nov 21
Here we can have a Real ID Driver’s License or Real ID that’s not a driver’s license if we don’t drive.
1 person likes this
