Hawaii REAL ID: What You Need to Know

After May 3, 2023, you need to have your Hawaii driver’s license with REAL ID if you want to board domestic flights.
Written by Rob Shapiro
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
Beginning on May 3, 2023, all
Hawaii
residents may hold only one REAL ID-compliant credential. This can be either their driver’s license or their Hawaii state ID. Without a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or state ID, you will not be able to get on a domestic flight or enter certain federal buildings.
Regardless of the state you live in, a driver’s license is your most important piece of identification. Presenting it proves your legal name, your age, and your address. A big change is coming as, after a long gestation period, either your Hawaii driver’s license or Hawaii State Identification Card must be upgraded to a REAL ID-compliant form of ID starting in 2023.
Don’t fret if this is all news to you.
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What is REAL ID?

9/11 made national security the most important and controversial issue in the United States. One of the results of that horrific and historic event was when Congress established a new standard for identification known as the
REAL ID Act
This act includes all driver’s licenses and will start being enforced beginning in 2023

Who needs a REAL ID?

The answer to this question is that just about every person in the U.S. will need to make their driver’s license or state ID compliant with REAL ID.
Beginning on May 3, 2023, you will need a REAL ID to do the following: 
  • Board any type of federally regulated commercial aircraft, such as a domestic flight.
  • Go inside a nuclear power plant
  • Go inside certain federal facilities
Only the last one will matter to most people (unless you work at a power plant). Remember, to continue using your Hawaii driver’s license or ID to board a domestic flight, it has to be REAL ID-compliant by 2023. 
If you fail to upgrade your ID to a REAL ID-compliant by the deadline, you will still be able to use other valid forms of identification for flights. 
Review this list of valid IDs from the
TSA website
, so that you don’t get stuck at the gate as the plane takes off.
Key Takeaway In 2023, the REAL ID Act will come into effect and establish a new standard for identification documents. All Hawaii residents will need a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or state ID to board a flight and enter certain government facilities and nuclear power plants.

How to get a Hawaii REAL ID

Applying for a REAL ID in Hawaii is a pretty straightforward process. 
Here are the steps you will have to complete at one of these county DMV offices:
City and County of Honolulu
,
Maui County
,
Hawaii County
, or
Kauai County
:
  • You will have to present in-person documentation that proves the following:
  • Your legal name
  • Your date of birth
  • Your social security number
  • Your legal presence
  • Your Hawaii principal residence address
As of now, there is no additional fee to apply for a Hawaii REAL ID. However, be aware that if you upgrade your Hawaii driver’s license to a REAL ID, you will not be eligible for a State Identification card. If you choose to upgrade your state ID to a REAL ID, you will be issued a Limited Purpose driver’s license, but that license will not be valid as a form of identification
MORE: Hawaii Electric Vehicle Incentives
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How to save money on car insurance in Hawaii

Upgrading your ID is important and you should take care of it as soon as possible. That said, you should also use Jerry to make sure you are paying the least every month for great
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FAQs

We recommend checking the
Department of Homeland Security’s website
to see if you will need a REAL ID in your state. If you plan to board domestic flights after May 3, 2023, using only your driver’s license, you will need a REAL ID-compliant license.
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