PennDOT says 36% of license holders have Real ID; agency defends training, centers and compliance

PennDOT told the appropriations committee that about 36% of licensed Pennsylvanians hold Real IDs and that the agency has worked with partners to encourage enrollment and manage demand ahead of federal enforcement changes.

Representative Alsemer and others asked whether the real-world experience at airports and driver'license centers had produced problems for people without Real IDs. "Roughly 36%" was Secretary Carroll's response when asked what percent of license holders have Real ID credentials, and he said some travelers without Real ID have passports as an alternative.

Lawmakers raised specific customer-service concerns, especially from women experiencing multiple name changes who told offices they were given inconsistent guidance. "For women, it's much more of a challenge than for men with name changes and such," Secretary Carroll said, acknowledging anecdotal cases where staff told an applicant differing requirements over multiple visits.

Carroll said PennDOT used a mix of same-day Real ID centers (where staff can issue a Real ID that day) and other centers that mail Real IDs, and that the department deliberately concentrates highly trained staff in the same-day centers rather than duplicating that staffing across every location. He said the department has been audited by federal partners and "has passed every test" related to the security and issuance process.

Why it matters: Real ID enrollment affects air travel and federal facility access for residents who do not carry a passport. Lawmakers urged PennDOT to explore additional training and clearer public guidance to reduce repeated trips and confusion, especially for residents with complex name-change histories.

What comes next: PennDOT said it will try to identify reasons for repeated customer visits and offer better public guidance; the agency said it will provide further breakdowns if requested.