Rush to meet Real ID deadline leaves some motorists frustrated
Marisa Meringolo, of Shirley, says the earliest appointment to register her car is more than a week away. She tried walking in at the Medford location only to be told to come back with a reservation.
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A Suffolk woman says she is having a hard time getting her car registered due to an influx of Real ID appointments.
Marisa Meringolo, of Shirley, says the earliest appointment to register her car is more than a week away. She tried walking in at the Medford location only to be told to come back with a reservation.
"She said ‘Well, sorry, you cannot enter,’" said Meringolo.
A frustrated Meringolo says she checked with every DMV office on Long Island, and the earliest appointment she could make for a new car registration is April 9.
Starting May 7, New Yorkers need a Real ID if they are flying domestically, unless they have a passport. The DMV says starting April 3, it is extending its hours to accommodate people who want a Real ID.
The DMV sent News 12 a statement saying:
"...Each day, a certain number of appointments are reserved for walk-ins. With increased demand for Real ID transactions, those walk-in appointments fill up quickly. After looking at our available appointment slots for transactions other than Real ID upgrades, we have reservations available within a week."
"I have to wait until the 9th, which I don't think is fair. They should have half of the DMV address the Real ID. The other half should address people who need vehicles on the road," said Meringolo.
DMV appointments can be made online.
