Still haven’t gotten your REAL ID in South Carolina? You might get an extension

President Donald Trump will reportedly extend the government’s Oct. 1 deadline to get the new federal driver’s license, giving thousands of South Carolinians who are practicing social distancing during the state’s coronavirus outbreak more time to get one.

South Carolina residents had until Oct. 1 to get the REAL ID, which gets people on a domestic flight, allows them to enter a federal building or enter a military base if they don’t have already a passport or federal ID card. But Monday, Trump said his administration is seeking to postpone the deadline as the confirmed number of cases continue to rise in the United States and in South Carolina.

The S.C. Department of Motor Vehicles has so far issued more than 1.2 million REAL ID cards as of March 1, but there are thousands more South Carolinians who have not gotten one. That has caused worry for DMV director Kevin Shwedo, who has rang the alarm bell repeatedly that there are likely to be long lines at DMV offices and airports because so many people have not gotten their new card.

A REAL ID extension could, however, help ease some of that panic.

As of Tuesday, the Trump administration had not announced what the new REAL ID deadline would be.

“I’m also announcing that we’re postponing the deadline with Real ID requirements,” Trump briefed reporters on Monday, reported the Los Angeles Times. “We will be announcing the new deadline very soon.”

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States have urged the Trump administration to push back the deadline so as not to cause a surge at Department of Motor Vehicles’ offices ahead of Oct. 1 while medical professionals urge people to practice safe social distancing so they won’t catch the coronavirus.

In South Carolina, health officials announced Tuesday there are 342 confirmed cases of the virus in 36 of the state’s counties. That number is sure to increase as more tests are administered. So far, five people in the state have died after contracting COVID-19.

Some states have closed DMV offices. Others, including in South Carolina, have remained open, considering its employees essential.

Last week, the National Governors Association called on the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to extend the REAL ID deadline, saying it was concerned about the virus’ impact on states, the travel industry and the economy.

“On behalf of the nations’ governors, we urge the Department of Homeland Security ... to institute an extension of the REAL ID program for no less than one year,” the association wrote. “We believe an extension will allow all of us to focus our efforts on combating the spread and severity of COVID-19. More time will also give Congress the ability to pass legislation that will update the 2005 REAL ID Act and bring it up to speed with today’s technology. This will also give DHS time to make regulatory changes.”

South Carolinians are still encouraged to go online at scdmvonline.com to see if they are eligible for the new ID card and can order one.

The new ID cards at $25 and have a gold star in the right-hand corner. The new card is not necessary to drive, vote or apply for or to get federal benefits. Individuals also don’t need the card to enter a post office, go to a hospital or serve on a federal jury or testify in federal court. The DMV also offers a non-REAL ID license, which says on the card, “not for federal identification.”

Unless documents already are on file, to get the card license holders will need:

▪ a government-issued birth certificate or U.S. passport;

▪ proof of a Social Security number;

▪ two proofs of a current S.C. address;

▪ and records of any name changes.

The spread of the coronavirus in South Carolina has also caused concern over whether residents will be able to pay DMV fees on vehicles. Charleston County Treasurer Mary Tinkler sent a letter to Gov. Henry McMaster Monday, asking he allow the DMV to waive all late fees for March motor vehicle bills, writing she can assure the governor “that it is a relevant concern of our state’s taxpayers.”

The Governor’s Office told The State Tuesday they are looking into the request.