Off topic — anyone have recent experience w getting the new Star ID in Alabama?

Took 2-3 weeks as I recall.

Online search said there were reports of 45 days- I’m guessing those are old reports from when this horseshite started

I’m wanting to fly w my boy to check out the colleges he has narrowed his choices to (one in Chicago one in VT) and I’m a little nervous to book flights…

Nope - haven’t left the country in decades & haven’t flown in several years - also, star id takes less time than a passport

I got a temporary paper one when I went. Had the star on it and everything.

I guess they aren't still doing that?

Just read the document requirements thoroughly and make sure you have what you need. You're going to wait in line at the ALEA/trooper office but as long as your paperwork is in order it will go as fast as it can go.

I think it took about 60-90 minutes for me.

What the hell is a Star ID?

Moving back to Prattville in 3 months from Texas. Do I need one of these things?

They still give the paper temp licenses, and you can use that to fly if you need to - just make sure you keep your old license to go along with it.

The link above is the exact page I used to build up the folder I took to the trooper office.

I couldn't believe how many people were getting turned away at the door when they had someone pre-check people's paperwork. Literacy is at an all-time low I guess.

quote:

---

better off getting an appointment in Montgomery vs going early to a closer office and waiting in line?

---

Regardless, get an appointment, 100%. With the proper documentation, you should be in and out relatively quickly.

Because your driver license is issued by the State, it can be renewed anywhere, not just within your county of residence.

If you look online at your closest DMV (Montgomery) and the next available appointment is weeks away, try to move around the map and look somewhere that might be a little more out of the way.

Sometimes you can drive 30–45 minutes to a rural office a county or so over and get an appointment there instead the next day (that's what I did).

Even though I had the appointment, the smaller place I went to had no issues with parking, no waiting, and it was about as painless as possible.

Just my two cents, but I'd personally rather spend 40 minutes in the car instead of an hour or two in line.

It’s been around since 2019, at least that’s when I got my Real ID by from Florida.

It’s ostensibly just provide documents proving you’re a citizen or lawful resident, which can be done from various forms. Doesn’t take much longer than a regular license.