[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Whether you have a license already, or you’re working on getting one, there is some information you’ll need to know before you can get a new Ohio Driver’s License.
Compliant vs. Standard Driver’s License and ID Cards
States are switching over to Real-ID Compliant driver’s licenses, and Ohio is no different. Drivers can choose between getting a Compliant or Standard license or ID card. The documents that you need to present in order to get your license will differ based on the type of ID that you want.
A federally compliant, Real-ID card meets the travel security requirements so that you can take a commercial flight, access federal facilities or enter military bases. A standard driver’s license ID card doesn’t meet these requirements, so you would need to use it with a passport or other document approved by the TSA (Transportation Security Administration) if you wanted to take a flight or access a federal facility or military base. But even if you have a compliant ID, if you want to travel internationally (including Canada and Mexico), you will need a passport.
These are the documents you could use if you need to travel across the U.S. and you do not have a compliant ID.
- S. passport
- S. passport card
- DHS trusted traveler cards (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST)
- S. Department of Defense ID, including IDs issued to dependents
- Permanent resident card
- Border crossing card
- DHS-designated enhanced driver’s license
- Federally recognized, tribal-issued photo ID
- HSPD-12 PIV card
- Foreign government-issued passport
- Canadian provincial driver’s license or Indian and Northern Affairs Canada card
- Transportation worker identification credential
- S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Employment Authorization Card (I-766)
- S. Merchant Mariner Credential
Don’t want to worry about having potential issues while traveling? Go with the Real-ID Compliant card. By 2020, it’s going to be the norm, anyway!
The State of Ohio makes it very simple to figure out what documents you need to have so that you can get your driver’s license or ID. To get your Real-ID Compliant license, you will need to provide documents that show your full legal name, date of birth, proof of legal presence in the U.S., your social security number, 2 documents that show proof of address, and proof of your name change if the name on your birth certificate doesn’t match your current name. You can use the interactive checklist here to make sure you know exactly what to bring with you to the BMV.
You won’t walk out of the BMV with your license. That’s normal.
Once you’ve presented all of the documents, you’re going to have to wait about 10 business days for your new driver’s license or ID card to come in the mail. This is the standard procedure now, but before you leave the BMV, they will give you an Ohio Interim Identification form that you can use while you wait.
Have more questions? Check out the BMV Frequently Asked Questions about their new driver’s licenses and ID cards.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
