Driver's license center in Pa. draws crowd as Real ID deadline approaches

Pennsylvanians flocked to the Lehigh Valley Driver License Center outside Allentown on Monday — to acquire a Real ID — as part of a dedicated day to acquiring the new identification cards.

Starting on May 7, anyone 18 years of age or older will need a Real ID or another acceptable form of identification to fly domestically or visit certain federal and military facilities. It’s denoted as a gold star on driver’s licenses.

Driver’s license centers are normally closed on Monday, but with the deadline looming, PennDOT has been holding special Real ID Days at centers across the state, The Morning Call reported, eliciting a large line in Lehigh Valley. The newspaper reported that hundreds gathered outside before the center opened.

Debra Thomas of Allentown was first in line because she arrived at 7 a.m. — despite the center not opening until 10 a.m., according to The Morning Call.

Some people were unable to be admitted because they didn’t bring the correct paperwork. A full checklist of necessary identification items is provided online by PennDOT.

Real ID Days are coming up from 8:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. Monday, April 7 at the following Western Pennsylvania locations:

• Allison Park Driver License Center: 1701 Duncan Avenue, Allison Park, PA 15101
• Bridgeville Driver License Center: 1025 Washington Pike, Bridgeville, PA 15017
• New Kensington Driver License Center: 1600 Greensburg Road, New Kensington, PA 15068
• Penn Hills Driver License Center: 11620 Keleket Drive, Penn Hills, PA 15235
• Butler Driver License Center: 158 Point Plaza, Butler, PA 16001
• Uniontown Driver License Center: 855 North Gallatin Avenue Ext., Uniontown, PA 15401
• Indiana Driver License Center: 2334 Oakland Avenue, Suite A, Indiana, PA 15701
• Somerset Driver License Center: 5593 Glades Pike, Somerset, PA 15501
• Washington Driver License Center: 250 Oak Spring Road, Washington, PA 15301
• Jeannette Driver License Center: 1100 Lowry Avenue, Jeannette PA 15644
• Belle Vernon Driver License Center: 960 Rostraver Road, Belle Vernon, PA 15012

Some will also be open the following Monday, April 14.

A full list of days, times and location can be found online.

Gerardo Spero, the Transportation Security Administration’s federal security director for Pennsylvania and Delaware, said the Real ID was born out of the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States, also known as the 9/11 Commission.

A valid passport, military ID or other form of federally-acceptable identification can be used in lieu of the Real ID driver’s license for domestic commercial flights.