California DMV Recalls 325,000 Misprinted REAL IDs — Is Yours on the List?

More than 20 years after it was first introduced, the government is just starting to enforce the REAL ID Act. If you haven’t made your way to your local DMV to update your driver’s license yet, the clock is ticking. You’ll need to make an appointment soon. However, for some people, there’s a hiccup. California recently announced recalls for over 325,000 REAL IDs due to a software error. If you’re a California resident, your REAL ID may need some corrections.

What’s the Problem with These REAL IDs?

According to the DMV press release, the REAL IDs in question have incorrect expiration dates. While performing a “proactive review of its legacy technology systems,” it “identified a software configuration dating back to 2006 under the Schwarzenegger Administration that affected how expiration dates were applied to a small subset of REAL ID records.”

The federal rules relating to the REAL ID Act state that “immigrants with lawful presence in the U.S. — including those who are permanent residents, green card holders, and visa holders — may be issued REAL IDs.” The expiration date calculation of these REAL IDs is slightly different, however.

The DMV software “correctly verified legal presence with the federal government at the time of issuance,” for some of these residents but “the legacy coding from 2006 automatically applied the standard credential renewal interval in some cases, instead of the expiration of a REAL ID holder’s authorized stay.”

Which REAL IDs Did the System Mess Up?

The press release explains that “only customers who receive a notice — approximately 1.5% of those holding California-issued REAL IDs — need to take action in the coming weeks and months.” If you don’t receive a notice, you don’t have to schedule another appointment. The DMV said that “all other REAL ID holders do not need to take any action.”

The DMV also emphasized a few extra points. First, “at NO point were REAL IDs ever issued to undocumented individuals (those without legal presence).” As stated above, “all individuals received REAL IDs only after the federal system verified their lawful presence.”

The problem with the REAL IDs in question is “limited solely to how expiration dates were calculated for some of California’s noncitizen residents with legal presence.”

Is There a Fix?

While they haven’t publicly outlined the details just yet, the DMV says that it “will notify approximately 325,000 individuals on actions they must take in the coming weeks and months to be reissued a REAL ID or a non-REAL ID driver’s license, as eligible.” They’ve also made it clear that they “will expedite the process and waive any associated fees.”

To protect residents from potential scams, the DMV has clarified how it will communicate with them. The DMV “will not call, text, or email you to ask for your personal information or payment to address this issue.”

Source

DMV Notifies Customers Who Need to Update Their REAL IDs, DMV Office of Public Affairs, 2025.

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