My mom’s drivers license is expiring this month. Is there any reason to go to the DMV and get an updated personal ID?

I got one for my mom. I don't know that she'll ever need it at this point but I thought it was better to have it than not. We traded in her license for an ID card.

I was told that an ID card was really necessary for check cashing, identification for travel and some other random things. Our DMV makes it very easy to get a state ID and have a 'line' dedicated to elders who cannot sit for ages to get the forms and photo. Try calling ahead and seeing what times are the slowest and go then.

My late husbands drivers license expired in 2015, and I never took him to get a state ID, as his doctors office(which was the only place that sometimes requested it)was fine with taking the expired license since it had his picture and address on it. We used his expired license until his death in 2020.
I wouldn't worry about it, or put her and yourself through this needless stress.

We never obtained one for my father, we used his VA card as picture id once but otherwise never needed it. He is now in a MC so no need anymore.

My 103-yr old Aunt's FL bank asked for her ID when I was adding myself as her FPoA. She never drove, and still has all her mind. If she can get the ID without too much effort I think it is worth having.

Lakegirl1, once my parents driver licenses expired, they never got new ones, they no longer drove. Every place that required a photo id, including voting, accepted their expired licenses. Their photos on the license still resembled what they looked like.

It’s one of the things you never need till you need and then possibly quickly. I would get it if you can.

My opinion is to let it expire. From what you said she is probably not a safe driver. If she ever wants her license back she will probably have to pass state required tests which is unlikely she would pass.

We needed it here in Florida when our step-mother had to be admitted to the hospital.

Very easy to get, it is just an ID card.

Is she a safe driver? If not her doctor can send a letter to the DMV to have her driving privileges revoked. All you need to do after that is take her to DMV and get a full ID card. If she questions it just tell her that this is the way the doctor thought is best for her safety as well as others on the highways and sidewalks.

With the new laws about Real ID soon taking affect, I would get her the Real ID for the situation of "you just never know when you might need it."

You need an if to verify your insurance card

I do not see why an expired driver license cannot be used for ID purposes. It has a photo and the correct birthdate for an ID. Unless 10 or more years old?

My health provider always asks for my ID (still a driver license) to match my health insurance card for identity purposes.

Yes and do it before the DL expires. We have needed the no driver ID card but now can’t remember for what. I do remember it was a pain the get because we had let her DL expire and needed additional documentation.

My BIL has an expired license and has been for over 2 yrs he has dementia and he doesn't have a vehicle either that was sold. They say you can keep the expired license because any change in what they see on the driver's license will put them in a tail spin in other words make them upset.

It still has the picture on it then its fine.

In NY it is very easy. I took in her old license to the DMV and they issued an ID. They use the same photo and it looks pretty much the same in her wallet.

Good Morning,

There is a new ID called the Real ID. This is more of an identification card as opposed to a license, however, it can serve as both. It's an official government issued card.

There is a fee. In the future every American will require one. Some "renewals" can be done online, however, I'm not sure how the Real ID works for a first-time applicant and not a license renewal.

I think it's a good idea to have this. For example, I plan on getting my mother a lanyard--fancy word for ID holder to wear around her neck with the Real ID when she comes grocery shopping with me. Mother has not wandered yet but she is declining and I want to expect the best but plan for the worst.

Everyone should carry identification even if you are in good health and go for a morning walk. It's important.

I would check out your local DMV website under "Real ID" and see what the protocol requires.

Happy New Year!

Definitely! Without a Real ID she can not enter a federal building such as to visit the Social Security office should it ever be necessary. There could be other uses in the future that are added later. Now is the time to take care of it if she is able to go with you because she will need her photo made, etc. It may be that you may need it for some reason along with her POA.

Another reason is should she ever move to a new residence, you will not be able to change an address on an expired ID and you will need to start from scratch trying to document everything to get the Real ID that is soon to be required by everyone.

Before my Mom's license expired, I was able to get her a regular State ID from the DMV. Since there was no need to change her photo, she did not have to go to the local DMV office. At that point, traveling on a plane was no longer in the picture, so the Real ID was not needed. The new ID was for 10 years and set to expire on her 100th birthday. I would always kid her to hang in there so we would be able to renew it when she reached that milestone. She was well on her way to that goal when she passed in January at age 93. I have that ID in a locked box. Get your Mom an updated one.

Yes? My mom hadn't driven in 10 years (stroke) aslnd so had no license or need, but after my dad died it was a nightmare trying to prove her existence to sooo many agencies w/out one. Especially DMV.

Get the updated personal ID. I used my Mom’s several times when applying for various benefits for her, such as SNAP and Medicaid. It is a very useful form of ID. I believe - if you’re a member - you can also have this done at any AAA customer service location.

I asked this same question myself a few months ago. In preparing legal documents, we did need a valid ID. Here in the state of Illinois they will issue a free, non-expiring ID, but asked that I bring my husband in if possible, before his current license expired. They were willing to fast track us when we went in, so he wouldn’t be there long.

She is still a living person and, a valid ID is appropriate to have for her.

Yes get an id. My wife has not had one for over 10 years but sooner or later it will catch up to you. You will need to sign a legal document or something similar and need a valid id. You may even need to take a plane for medical care air something similar.

Don’t renew the license, however get her an ID issued by state. That way she has valid, legit photo ID, but no license to drive.

My 103-yr old Aunt has a FL ID (she never drove) and so does her 100-yr old sister (with advanced dementia, now in a LTC facility). Better to have it than not.

Check to see if it can be done online. My mom hasn't driven in years, but we are starting the process of applying for Medicaid and I got nervous that her not having a valid ID could hinder the process. She is basically housebound, and the idea of taking her to the DMV was daunting on all levels. Unbelievably, the State of Connecticut allowed me to renew a 92-year-old woman's expired driver's license online (makes me nervous about who else is out there on the roads!). In any case, may be worth a try!

Yes, get the new State identity card. Many times, you go to Dr's office or other places that require official ID.

My father, who was 94 at the time, received a letter from the State of Florida ordering him to surrender his DL. I had to take him to the DMV myself which was a difficult process (loading his walker, etc.) They issued him a state ID. He was in an ALF at the time. It was the only way we could finally get his car keys away from him and sell the car. Should have happened years earlier. He was a menace on the roads.
He also stubbornly decided/demanded he wanted to renew his expired passport (which was locked in our safe.) I refused to bring it to him. "What do you need a passport for? It's not like you're traveling to Europe anymore."
The scary thing was he didn't have dementia; he was a narcissist who always sent us on wild goose chases and expected everyone to be at his beck and call.
Anyway, I do think it is important to have an official form of ID.

I got one for my Mom because her eye dr.'s office required it. I went to the DMV with my POA papers, and they used the photo from her driver's license, so she didn't even have to go in.