California DMV to offer early REAL ID appointments starting April 14

The California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) has announced that select DMV offices will open one hour early, from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m., exclusively for REAL ID appointments. This schedule applies from April 14 to June 27 on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays.

Starting May 7, 2025, the federal government will enforce the REAL ID Act. This requires either a REAL ID or another approved federal document, such as a U.S. passport, for domestic flights and accessing secure federal facilities. Californians with approved federal documents may wait to obtain a REAL ID until their current ID expires.

Eighteen offices across the state will follow the new early opening schedule. Locations include Pleasanton, Fremont, Folsom, Carmichael, Thousand Oaks, Van Nuys, Arleta, Glendale, Pasadena, Culver City, Westminster, Costa Mesa, San Clemente, Rancho Cucamonga, San Diego Clairemont, San Marcos, El Cajon, and Poway.

Those applying for a REAL ID should begin the application process online at REALID.dmv.ca.gov. This includes filling out an application and uploading necessary documents before visiting a DMV office to complete the process, which should take about 15 minutes.

Regular DMV office hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, and 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday.

The DMV encourages the use of online services for most tasks, reducing the need for in-person visits. Services such as driver’s license renewals and vehicle registration can often be completed online. Customers are encouraged to use the Service Advisor on the DMV website to find out more about available options.

Customers who prefer paperless notices for vehicle registration and driver’s license renewals can sign up by creating a secure online account at dmv.ca.gov.