"Remember the springtime of 2025, when the federal government and the state of California forced everyone to get a new driver's license called Real ID because the previous version of your driver's license was not considered secure enough? State and federal officials assured us that the new Real ID was going to stamp out identity fraud and improve verification, because these new Real IDs were so much more reliable from an information security standpoint."
"We should clarify that most people with a Real ID will not be affected by this, as the software error only affected an estimated 1.5% of California residents who've been issued a Real ID. But for that unlucky 1.5% of people, which is 325,000 Californians, there will be yet another unwelcome chapter of bureaucratic hassle in getting the legally compliant state ID that they thought they had already been issued."
"We proactively reviewed our records, identified a legacy system issue from 2006, and are notifying impacted customers with clear guidance on how to maintain a valid California-issued credential, DMV Director Steve Gordon said in that press release. For nearly 99% of REAL ID holders, no action is required. The DMV remains committed to serving all Californians and ensuring REAL ID credentials meet federal standards."
The federal and California Real ID rollout in spring 2025 aimed to reduce identity fraud and improve verification by issuing more secure driver's licenses. The California DMV discovered a legacy software error originating in 2006 that caused incorrect issuance of some Real IDs. The error affected an estimated 1.5% of Real ID holders, roughly 325,000 residents, who must replace their credentials. The DMV reviewed records, identified impacted customers, and began notifying them with guidance to maintain valid state credentials. Nearly 99% of REAL ID holders remain unaffected, and the DMV affirmed commitment to federal standards.
Read at sfist.com
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