Washington - As many Americans across the country are rushing to get their true ID licenses, some opt out - either to use their valid passport as the preferred form of ID for travel, or to wait until their current driver's license expires and then renew.
The actual ID requirement will come into effect on May 7, when Americans must have a new proof of identity to fly in the country.
The cost of obtaining a logo varies from state to state. The fees also vary depending on whether the traveler gets the first actual ID or wants to renew his existing license.
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Other forms of identity proof replace actual ID, including a valid U.S. passport or passport card; DHS trusted traveler cards such as Global Entry; Department of Defense ID; Permanent Resident Card; and Off-Road Card.
With deadlines looming, Fox News Digital spoke with travelers this week and asked why people who don’t or don’t plan to get a real ID soon made a decision.
With the looming real ID deadline on May 7, many Americans are choosing to use their passports or wait until that renewal of their license. (Ashley J. Dimella/Fox News Numbers)
Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA) from Washington, D.C., Oregon, said it was the current “financial decision.”
Lisa (no last name) said that so far she has not obtained a real ID card, "because it's an extra fee, I know I'd rather put my money on my passport."
She said later, she may decide to get a real ID card.
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“When I travel later, I have to bring my passport, and I probably don’t want to do that on my trip to the United States,” she said.
Other forms of identity proof replace actual ID, including a valid U.S. passport or passport card; DHS trusted traveler cards such as Global Entry; Department of Defense ID; Permanent Resident Card; and Off-Road Card.
The cost of obtaining a logo varies from state to state. (Fox News)
Some states offer reduced prices for actual IDs such as California.
"In some cases, fees can be exempted or reduced," said the Golden State's DMV website.
It added: “If you meet the income requirements of a selected government or nonprofit assistance program, you may be eligible to pay a reduced application fee for the original or updated ID card.”
It also noted that “homeless” may qualify for a no-fee ID card.
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According to the California DMV, “To get a no-cost senior citizen ID card, you must be at least 62 years of age.”
Kelsey, of Bloomington, Illinois, said she had just arrived at DC and she did not have a real ID card.
"I don't have a real ID yet, because I'm not in the DMV yet and our trip ended before May 7, so I didn't urgently do that," she said.
Distribute paper flyers to DCA travelers with QR codes so that people can pull out an acceptable list of IDs on the TSA checkpoint. (Fox News figures)
She said that since she already has a passport, she thought it would make more sense to use it at this time.
"My ID card will expire in November, so I plan to complete it immediately when I have to get one," she said.
“I don’t have the urgency to do this.”
A man named Nick, also from Bloomington, Illinois, told Fox News Digital: “I travel with my passport, so I usually don’t even use my ID card.”
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When asked if he would get one, he said: "I would love to study more (real ID). I don't know much about it."
Ronald Reagan National Airport in Washington, D.C., showed a countdown to remind travelers of imminent deadlines for real ID cards. (Ashley J. Dimella/Fox News Numbers)
At the South Security Checkpoint of DCA this week, a countdown is displayed on the monitor to remind passengers of deadlines.
Travelers were also provided with paper handouts, urging them to obtain a new ID card.
Victoria of Phoenix, Arizona said she does not have a real ID card.
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"I just don't travel enough," she said.
She has a passport and said she would get one if that saved her more time at the airport.
Some travelers told Fox News Digital this week why they skip now and get a new ID now. (Fox News figures)
When asked if she knew anyone without a passport or real ID, she said her parents didn’t.
She said she wanted her parents to get a real ID so that “they can travel and enjoy retirement.”
She doesn't think they are considering making an appointment for a DMV now.
“The DMV is always beautiful.”
Leslie, from California, commented that she has a real ID card – but shared that colleagues without documents must rush to get a job trip.
“She doesn’t have a real ID, so she has to go see them (DMV) and get a real ID, which is like a two to four-hour wait… in California.”
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"The DMV there is always beautiful," she added.
Although DMVs in some states add special Saturday hours or extended working days to accommodate real ID requests, many motor vehicle bureaus are not open on weekends.