The California Department of Motor Vehicles will begin offering the option to apply for a federal compliant REAL ID driver license or identification card beginning Jan. 22, at DMV offices statewide, officials announced. Californians may choose either a REAL ID or a federal non-compliant card.
The federal REAL ID Act of 2005 was passed by Congress in response to the events of 9/11.
California DMV to offer new REAL IDs in 2018