Real ID strikes again! (bad barcodes)

[randomq]

Just had this happen to me, got kicked out of a TSA line with a vague "there's something wrong with your ID or ticket". Hawaiian/Alaskan rep was nice enough to check and escort me to security to ensure I got through the second time, after several bad scans...

https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/2026/05/09...ve-glitch/

[BlackAkita]

I'm losing patience with the state as well as the Feds. Gov. Greenhorn needs to get his act together. First, fire the clowns who designed the latest unREAL ID Hawaii driver's license. Move the map overlay so it does not look like your neck is covered by a leper growth. Fix the barcode on the back of the license. What nudnick decided to design his own version of the standard barcode symbols, that are difficult for legacy readers to decode?

By far, the largest list of anomalies are documented on Facebook. These problems have been known about for months.

[HiloJulie]

]

The current Hawaii Driver's License/ID Card was designed by a nice lady named Fran Palama back in 1988. The only change to make it Real ID Compliant is the addition of the Gold Star. 

The issue of these Hawaii Real ID Driver's License/ID's lays with the actual company who makes them, known as IDEMA, who happens to make Real Driver's License/ID's for 34 other States as well.

I'm on my 4th replacement due to them becoming non-readable by TSA. I also have a California ID and a Passport, which I more or less just use to bypass the hassle. Yet the same company makes both. Go figure.

I also don't think this entire issue has anything to do with our Governor, and further, I think our Governor has more pressing matters to deal with. Now, on the other hand, who is the DMV employee who interfaces with IDEMIA? I'm fine with his head on a platter over this issue. I've dealt with it for several years now.

[BlackAkita]

I'm on my 4th replacement due to them becoming non-readable by TSA. I also have a California ID and a Passport, which I more or less just use to bypass the hassle.  I've dealt with it for several years now.

Sorry you had to experience this endless hassle. Your CA ID cannot be True-ID because HI DMV says two driver's licenses with True ID cannot coexist. It is a shame that the government is forcing citizens to fork over money for a passport and/or a passport ID just to fly domestically.

Have you ever considered that the Real ID snafu was intentional to disenfranchise voters at Federal elections in 2026 and 2028?

[kalianna]

No. Have you?

[HiloJulie]

Your CA ID cannot be True-ID because HI DMV says two driver's licenses with True ID cannot coexist.

Well, yes, let me clear that up. My California ID is NOT Real ID complaint, and I can no longer use that to travel. However, both my Hawaii Driver's License and my Passport are Real ID compliant, it is just for some reason the Hawaii Driver's License/ID's become non readable by TSA scanners after a short period.

Considering the Real ID Act was signed into law in May of 2005, and taking 20 years to be officially mandated, if there was any intention of voter disenfranchisement, it was very poorly implemented.

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[leilanidude]

Here is how the process works:

• The "One Card" Rule: Federal law mandates that you can only hold one REAL ID compliant credential at a time.
  

• State-to-State System: States participate in a database system that electronically checks if an applicant holds a driver's license or ID card in another jurisdiction. If you apply for a new ID in a different state, the old one will be automatically invalidated.
  

• Moving Procedures: If you establish residency in a new state, you will need to apply for a new license or ID there, providing required documents such as proof of residency and your Social Security Number.
  

• Driver's License vs. ID Card: You also cannot hold a standard driver's license and a separate state ID card simultaneously within the same state; you must choose one or the other.
  

I have a Texas non-Real ID that expires later this year and a Hawaii Real ID. I will not be allowed to renew the Texas ID (I checked) because I have a Real ID already. I had the Texas ID simply to have a backup in case of lost wallet situation. It just sits in the safe deposit box with birth certificate, copy of SS card, passport, etc. I do carry the Passport card for traveling in the US, but not the actual passport.

[HiloJulie]

You still can get a non-compliant REAL ID driver’s license or state ID card in the vast majority of states, which as of now, can still be used for State sponsored use, such as voting, however, cannot be used for Federal use, such as flying or entering Federal properties.

[kalakoa]

I'm surprised Hawaii doesn't offer Enhanced ID. Move to a state that has them, I guess.

TSA also accepts TWIC, although the last couple of times I did that they mumbled something about "only military TWIC".

[randomq]

What was disturbing to me was no alternative was presented by the TSA agent (other than passport). Silly me, thinking that I went through the hassle to get a Real ID and would only have to carry one card... If their scanner hadn't worked that last time, and I had no alternate ID, I would just have to miss my flight?

Back in my wasted youth I once traveled without ID, and they just swabbed me for explosives and patted me down before letting me proceed on my lawless, undocumented way.