Expired license while on vacation?
 

My fiance and I are leaving on our honeymoon in a little over 3 weeks, traveling from Boston to Hawaii. I just noticed my license expires mid-way through our trip. I hadn't planned on getting a new one until we returned because of my name change. Will this be a lot of trouble for me in terms of airport security when I try to board the plan and my license has just expired?

I've never seen them check the expiration date, just that your name and photo match you and your tickets.

Here in Texas, we can renew our licenses by mail. Maybe you can, too?

Massachusetts licenses can't be renewed by mail; they do an eye exam on every person every time. OTOH, they DO let you re-use your old photo, which they now store digitally.

I tried to do it online, but for some reason, it wouldn't let me. I am just getting nervous that I am leaving so soon that I won't get a new one in time. Also, all the hotel/car reservations are in my fiance's name. Would there be any reason that it would be an issue for airport/airline security? It expires 8/13 and we fly home on 8/20.

I agree with chicgal about better be safe than sorry. You should go renew it in person (mail would take longer, especially since you're leaving in 3 weeks). Also, I don't know about Massachusetts, but in NJ (where I live) if you renew your license by mail, you'll get one WITHOUT your picture on it! I have mine to prove it! And that happened a good year after 9/11. I think they don't do it anymore but I was amazed they were doing that at that time. So until I renew my license, I have to use my passport if I fly, oh say, to Florida!

I'm curious. Do you just not have time to go to DMV?

beachgirl-

If you are not planning to drive in Hawaii, and you want to wait until you return to renew it, I suggest you bring your passport as a form of ID for security checks. The last thing you want is the expired license ruining your honeymoon.

Although, it will only affect your return trip, so you'll be stuck in Hawaii and cannot return to Boston. I guess that won't be to bad, eh? ;)

Here in Hawai`i, _current_ valid photo ID is required at departure from all airports (even the small ones, like Hana).

Since all airport security is operated by the same organization nationwide, I think it's safe to assume this is standard procedure at all airports now...

You will also want to consider your airline tickets... what name is your ticket listed under? Your Government issued photo ID needs to match that name. If you get a new ID with your new name will it match your ticket?

Hopefully her maiden name is on her ticket because she's not going to get her newly married name (IF she's changing it) on her license. DMV needs to see the marriage license (not the church one) before they issue a new license with the new last name. And as we married folks all know, one doesn't get that marriage license right away.

Thanks for all the advice. Unfortunately, my passport is long expired, and I have never renewed that. The name on my ticket is my maiden name, I won't be changing my name until after our return from the honeymoon. It just so happens that my license expires one week after my wedding! If I do renew it, I'll just have to get another one in the next couple of months once I change my name. I guess I should renew the license to avoid problems in Hawaii, I am just nervous I won't get it in time as my trip is only 3 weeks away.

Check with your airline, but it says it requires a valid form of ID. Although yiu can't drive with it, a recently expired drivers is a valid government issues id.

I've flown without a drivers license or photo ID. I misplaced my license and didn't realize it until I was getting on the plane. I was allowed to board using two credit cards and my social security card (which I just happended to have with me.)

In terms of your hotel, I've never had a hotel ask for my drivers license.

All that said, I'd just bite the bullet and get it done before I leave. You might want to drive in Hawaii. At least in NJ,

hit the button to soon,

At least in NJ, you can get an amendment to your license fairly easily.

Just recently I had to do a bunch of research on ID requirements, for an 18-year-old friend who didn't have a passport or driver's license and who had to fly on short notice.

The TSA (Transportation Security Administration) actually does not require a photo ID. Their web site states, "passengers age 18 and over must present one form of photo identification issued by a local state or federal government agency (e.g.: passport/drivers license/military ID), or two forms of non-photo identification, one of which must have been issued by a state or federal agency (e.g.: U.S. social security card)."

Our 18-year-old friend traveled on his Social Security card and birth certificate. He had his school photo ID along, too, but didn't use it. Of course, it might have helped that he was traveling with his father, who had valid photo ID. They used airports in Boston, Dayton, and Cincinnati.

So, if for some reason I couldn't get my new license in time, a SS card and 2 other forms of ID (credit cards, etc...) would work? Jeez, now I gotta get to work on finding my SS card :)

It has to be picture ID issued by a government agency. do you have a passport?

Although no one really wants to spend any more time than is necessary at the DMV, I sure would get it changed due to the expiration and then change the name down the road. Certainly not worth having a honeymoon ruined or losing sleep over what may or may not happen. Congratulations and enjoy your honeymoon!

Beachgirl86: There may be another complication no one has addressed. Depending on which state you live, if you let your license expire, to get a new one, you may have to start fresh (i.e. Knowledge test, driving skills test, etc). Some states have a grace period after the license expires where that is not a requirement but it is my impression there are some states that require you to go through the entire process if you do not have a current, valid license.

Why not bring along a copy of your marriage certificate?

The marriage certificate is completely irrelevant in this case, since the ticket, license, etc. are in her "maiden" name. Plus, if she leaves on the honeymoon right away, she won't have it anyway.

Even if beachgirl shows up at the Mass. DMV when it opens tomorrow morning, she still might not have her final license in hand when she leaves, since IIRC they give you a xerox and mail the real one to your house. In my experience it takes less than 2 weeks, but you never know.

Beachgirl, I suggest that you try the online registration again after they open tomorrow, or perhaps from a different computer.

Well, if the birth certificate is too early and the marriage certificate is too late

and the passport is expired

and the driver's license is due to expire

beachgirl: you need to carry with you ONE official document that is CURRENT to prove you are who you are.

Seems like you are getting great advice here to take some time and work on getting your driver's license renewed.

BTW: congratulations on getting married! Have a great honeymoon!

When I flew last week, the TSA fellow commented that my driver's license had expired. I don't know what action he would have taken because I discovered the current license just behind the expired one in my wallet. I had slipped it into the wrong place on the outbound trip. Bottom line, be greatful that you discovered the potential problem, and obtain a current license before you leave! They do check.

Happy honeymoon! Don't forget the suntan lotion.

Driver's licenses don't cost that much to renew. I'd just do it now and have a current license when it's time to board the plane. A friend here was turned away at check-in due to an expired license. It's just not worth it.

Read the thread. The issue isn't money, it's time.

Go get your license renewed before it expires. Change your name on it when you return.

A wedding and travel have enough potential unexpected contingenies without setting yourself up for problems that can be prevented.

Each airline security staff has their own interpretation of all the rules and regulations, all of which some follow more closely than others.

It would be just silly to travel with an expired license when you could just get it renewed.

OK, well, I couldn't renew online as my photo was before my 21st birthday, which I didn't realize. (I am almost 26.) So, I am heading to the DMV after work today to renew it. Hopefully it will be in my hand in 3 weeks so I have it before the honeymoon! The issue here is time -- thanks for all the tips and advice!

Beachgirl: Good! You should get your license in hand today then. Have a GREAT honeymoon!

I will only get a paper license today...they mail you your perm. one -- that's why I'm nervous about the timeframe!

Really? How weird. Is that a Massachusetts thing?

Your paper renewal along with your expired photo license will be enough for any airline or security check point.
Have fun and congrats!

Thats pretty different, having to wait for it in the mail- here in illinois you get a new lisence in 15 minutes ( with a new picture) - if you are just renewing they have "express" facilities that barely have lines

Can you get a State ID card faster?? Also if you are only 26? your passport is long expired? - that means that you obtained it prior to you being 16 - are you sure its expired? you don't need a Drivers licence to board an airplane just a vaild picture ID(ID card,passport,etc)- lots of people don't have drivers licences.

I would think that the temp license they'll give you when you renew along with the expired picture license would prove that you have current ID. Isn't it also possible to get a picture ID from your local police dept. simply for use as ID. I think people without a driver's license use these. Might be worth a call.

Hi,
Well, I went to the RMV today and renewed my license...I got the paper version, and the woman there said I should get the permanent copy in a week in the mail :) I will keep my fingers crossed that it gets here in time! Yep, my passport is expired...I had a passport as a teenager for a trip to France and never renewed it. Thanks again for all the advice and great ideas!

Congrats beachgirl! Have a great trip and as someone considerably older than 26, be grateful that you are dealing with the new Registry. In the bad old days you would be celebrating your anniversary before you got through the line.

I will keep my fingers crossed for you as well. I read this thread earlier and was immediately concerned about a few bits of misinformation that had been posted. Fortunately, others steered you in the right direction.

My GF showed up at the airport two weeks ago with expired license; fortunately, she had her state-issued ID with her. Security was NOT going to let her pass through otherwise.

beachgirl, I'd be more worried about how I was going to get around at home after the honeymoon with an expired license. In NJ it took me about a month to get my marriage certificate and then went to DMV to process the name change. You need to renew your license before it expires so your driving priviliges will be intact until your paperwork comes through to process your name change. Nobody wants to go to DMV twice, but I think you have no choice. In NJ they only charge a small fee for the name change, I think it was $5, as opposed to the $24 to renew the whole license. Good luck!

It's amazing how many people will reply to a thread without actually reading it.

Good going beachgirl!

Here, we can renew our driver's license in 15 minutes and get the real thing right away.

But, it did take several weeks to receive the marriage certificate.

Anonymous: Good point...I noticed that a few times on this thread :)