MILWAUKEE (SPECTRUM NEWS) - One year from today, travelers will need a “Real ID” driver’s license or passport to fly within the United States. 

“If you’re impatient and if you’re on a time schedule like, it’s inconvenient,” said Ashley Davis, who just came to the DMV to get her vehicle registered. 

And that inconvenience and longer wait times-- may even go up during the next year.

For Davis and every other driver across the state, the clock is ticking. 

Starting October 1, 2020 your driver’s license will need a star in the upper right hand corner to get through airport security.

Rick Melton, another resident at the DMV, was waiting for 45 minutes and had not been called up yet. Melton recently moved from Chicago to Milwaukee.  It’s his second trip to the DMV for a “Real ID” upgrade.

“The first time I didn’t have the right information,” said Melton.

Melton, who frequently travels in and out of the country for work didn’t want to wait until the last minute.

“Having a local state ID isn’t going to be good enough to jump on a plane unless you have a passport and I don’t always have my passport,” said Melton.

But for others across Wisconsin, the ID upgrade isn’t as urgent.

“As a state we’re only at 36 percent of our driver’s license and ID card holders,” said Wisconsin DMV Administrator, Kristina Boardman.

Come October 1 of 2020, without the federal star, your valid license will still work for driving on the road and for identification purposes.  However, aside from not being able fly in an airplane, you won’t have access to federal buildings or military basis without a federal ID.

Here’s what you’ll need to bring to the DMV:

  • Proof of name and date of birth, which may be your birth certificate
  • Proof of your identity, like something with your photo or signature on it
  • Proof of a social security number
  • Proof of your Wisconsin address

The cost for the federal upgrade, without a license or ID is $35. 

To avoid waiting in those long lines, you can actually set an appointment with the DMV to update your ID.  For a link to that form, click here.