An estimated 325,000 Californians will have to replace their Real ID licenses, the DMV admitted this week.
A software error is to blame for the issue, which has now forced a huge number of California to get their state-issued driver’s license re-issued, officials said.
“The DMV is informing affected individuals of the steps they need to take,” officials said in a news release Wednesday.
A review of their records identified a “legacy system issue from 2006” was to the blame for the snafu.
Some legal immigrants had been issued Real IDs with no expiry date at the same time as their authorization to remain in the country, officials said.
The issue reportedly impacts approximately 1.5% of California REAL ID holders.
Officials emphasized that no one who was undocumented got one.
The DMV will be waiving fees for those Californians affected.
“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,” said DMV Director Steve Gordon.
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“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,” he added.
The federal Real ID Act was signed into law in 2005 and placed new rules on which forms of identification may be used to board flights within the United States. It finally came into effect in May of 2025.
Real ID driver licenses have a distinctive gold bear in the top right corner.
