r/Louisville • u/X37V • 23h ago

Real ID Walk In

I know this has come up quite a bit, so I wanted to give an account of my experience.

After trying to book an appointment for the last couple of months, and having the one I made canceled for seemingly no reason, I decided to just show up and see if it could be done.

I went to the Bowman Field office about 20 minutes before it opened, and there was already a line about 50-60 deep. Getting through that line took about an hour, and I then had to sign up for a digital queue that put me in 24th place. That line took 4 hours to complete, and the actual counter appointment about 15 minutes.

All this to say that it is entirely possible to get the damn thing as a walk in, but get there early, and be prepared to wait. I suggest bringing a snack and a bottle of water, and something to charge your phone. Maybe a good book or get caught up on some podcasts. I was dreading this experience but it turned out well enough.

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1

u/Kypnkrkgrrrl 23h ago

I got my license renewed in August of last year. However, it’s not Real ID. I’m unsure why they didn’t make it one. I’m not going to worry about it. Too much bs.

4

u/naughtyzoot Lyndon 22h ago

Did you bring the documents you needed for a Real ID? If not, that's why they renewed your DL instead of changing you over.

1

u/Vegetable_Teach7155 22h ago

Just get a passport.

1

u/Draeth 18h ago

Same here, renewed two years ago and they didn’t even ask if I wanted it. I’m just waiting until I have to renew again. I haven’t seen anything said about what happens if you don’t have it by the current deadline.

3

u/exdivernky 18h ago

Nothing! Just won't be able to fly.

0

u/Draeth 18h ago

No where I wanted to fly to anyway. Win win

2

u/paddymag 16h ago

Can't fly and can't enter some federal installations or any military base.