Today, AAMVA, NGA and NCSL released the findings of their Real ID Impact Analysis in a media briefing. 

And I must admit, for a federal law that impacts over 240 million Americans, I am shocked that many news reports failed to mention the most important impact of the Act to consumers:  longer lines at DMV.

Tom Wolfsohn clearly told listeners today that if they don't have the Real ID-required documents when they come to DMV to renew their license, they might wind up "walking instead of driving."  And even if you do show up with the right documents, Wolfsohn said you still had better,"pack a lunch" because you're going to be waiting for a long time!

So, while the "to date" price tag for Real ID screams at $11.1 billion and could go up or down, most of the mainstream press press latched onto this figure and forgot about the impacts to those who matter most:  their readers.

Let's hope Congress doesn't forget about their constituents when deciding whether or not to appropriate funds for the Act.



Jason D. King
Vice President, Public Relations & Information Services
AAMVA
jking@aamva.org