SACRAMENTO - The DMV says that approximately 325,000 Californians will be required to replace their Real ID licenses because of a software error.

In the coming weeks, DMV officials said, about 1.5% of those holding Real IDs will be notified that they “need to take action” to “ensure continued compliance with federal REAL ID regulations.”

“The DMV is informing affected individuals of the steps they need to take,” officials said in a news release. Fees associated with reissuing the IDS will be waived for those affected.

DMV officials said the problem was discovered after a review of technology systems revealed that some legal immigrants had been issued Real IDs that did not expire at the same time as their authorization to remain in the country.

The Real ID Act was signed into law in 2005 and established security standards for state-issued IDs for things like boarding planes. But implementation was repeatedly delayed, and the requirement finally went into effect in May of 2025.

Story Date: January 5, 2026