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

You can get an ID that looks like a drivers license. If you feel she would be unsafe on the road do not renew the DL.

Yes because doctors often want a copy of your ID and medical card. Hospitals may want it to and other institutions that require identification. If you have AAA they have DMV services. you can also apply for an ID card online. If it tells you you have to go in afterwards for a picture just do it. It’s fairly easy

For widows of Veterans: My dad was a career U.S. Marine Corps.; thus, after his death, as his widow, my mom had an 'official' government i.d., good for life (although she did have to have it renewed (new photo) every so often. This I.D. worked, and still works, for everything; she doesn't need a Driver's License, or a State-issued I.D. (she stopped driving years ago), for ANYTHING, anywhere.

She needs to have a valid government-issued photo ID. There are thousands of reasons, from access to banking and assets to proving identity for health insurance and medical treatment access.

Yes. Personal ID is often needed for government / business / housing needs.
She will need some current form of ID. I believe this is why DMV offers ID cards in place of a DL. Personal ID is used for many other needs, not just flying / air transportation, i.e., Medi-Cal ... Medi-Care ... Social Security ... Housing ... Medication ... Oh yes... someone mentioned banking ... investments ... Will ... POA ... all kinds of needs for a personal ID.

And, DMV will come out to see your mom if she is disabled.
(Or they did for my client about 5-7 years ago.)
If she has other current legal / official form of ID with a photo, who / what entity provided it?

Gena / Touch Matters

We needed it to pick up my mom's pain meds (controlled substance), though I probably could have given them mine.

Absolutely get an ID.

Yes. She needs legal ID.

To get a Real ID for the first time on my Driver License in 2020, I had to physically visit the DMV office with requested documents to prove who I am I what say I am.

Lakegirl1: Your mother needs an ID issued from the DMV. Case in point for an example: My legally blind mother let her DMV ID expire. Fortunately when it came time for me to get POA, the notary public was a friend who let my mother use her COB (Commissioner of the Blind) ID, but he wasn't supposed to do so.

She needs a state-issued ID. The DMV in most states can give her that ID and it looks very similar to her license.

Oh my. We are jumping through SO MANY hoops trying to get my MIL a valid government-issued ID. We've mainly needed it for banking, but there have been other times where we've needed one. If it were possible to click on something and get one instantly, I would do it in a hot second. (MIL let her driver license expire and her passport expire and had a million reasons why that was okay.)

In NJ you definitely need a current id to do any official banking. When I wanted to get my mom a debit card at bank for example they needed current id. I took my 84 year old mom to motor vehicles for a non-drivers identification card. It was BRUTAL. Seniors waited with everyone else in hours long line. Omg - I wish this on no one but it was necessary to have valid id on a few occasions. I have to say it’s never a problem until it’s a problem.

You are correct, no need for a drivers license. However she will need a government issued photo id for her taxes. Also, when we go after giveaways (e.g. free bag with $500 purchases), they request a government id to enforce one giveaway per person.

Even with dementia, a government issued photo id gives my Mom a sense of “belonging” to the US government.

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.

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.

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

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!

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.