On deadline day for REAL IDs in New York, DMVs experienced unprecedented chaos as thousands flocked in last-minute to get their identification. Many frustrated customers were turned away due to not having appointments or the necessary documents. Workers reported increased tensions, with some needing police intervention for unruly patrons. The new IDs are crucial for air travel starting May 7, further exacerbating the rush. Customers like Blessing Odita and Justin Vespucci voiced their frustrations over missed appointments and lack of clear instructions on the requirements for obtaining a REAL ID.
"Yesterday was crazy. Today is going to be worse because today is the deadline," said a worker at the Atlantic Avenue Terminal DMV in Brooklyn - which had longer wait times and was turning away people without appointments.
"They need to put it on the website that if you come to the DMV, you need an appointment. It's not saying it on the website," said the worker, who asked not to be named.
"I thought I could just walk in," she said. "My thought was maybe they'd give us a number but it wasn't like that anymore."
"They wouldn't let me grab it real quick. I booked this a month ago. I need to reschedule so I will probably wait until June or something," he said.
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