# Is your Real ID flimsy? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 19, 2024, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-your-real-id-flimsy/1004475 "2024-07-19T21:03:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Nars\_Glinley](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nars_glinley/32/8177_2.png) [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2024, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-your-real-id-flimsy/1004475/1 "2024-07-19T21:03:43Z")
I’m in Oklahoma so naturally we’re one of the last states to implement Real IDs. My old driver’s license was laminated, beefy, and I could cut a tough steak with it if need be. My Real ID feels like it might self destruct when I pull it out of my wallet. Is this the nature of Real IDs or is it just an Oklahoma thing? ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2024, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-your-real-id-flimsy/1004475/2 "2024-07-19T21:05:59Z")
I have a Washington Real ID. It’s pretty standard strength. Similar to the Passport card. ---
**Author:** ![Nars\_Glinley](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nars_glinley/32/8177_2.png) [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2024, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-your-real-id-flimsy/1004475/3 "2024-07-19T21:10:53Z")
Mine feels nothing like my passport card. It’s more like a free trial membership to AARP. ---
**Author:** ![thelurkinghorror](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7c8e57/32.png) [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2024, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-your-real-id-flimsy/1004475/4 "2024-07-19T21:14:31Z")
It’s exactly the same as the old ID just has a star in the corner. ---
**Author:** ![Seanette](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/seanette/32/9139_2.png) [@Seanette](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seanette)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2024, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-your-real-id-flimsy/1004475/5 "2024-07-19T21:35:54Z")
My California RealID feels very similar to the DL it replaced (CA hasn’t used laminated in years). Thinner than my debit card, but about the same amount of flexibility. ---
**Author:** ![jnglmassiv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f07891/32.png) [@jnglmassiv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jnglmassiv)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2024, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-your-real-id-flimsy/1004475/6 "2024-07-19T22:17:30Z")
> [@thelurkinghorror](#): > > exactly the same I _just_ received my first RealID earlier this week and carefully compared the two at the time: same thickness/feel. I also noticed they feel kind of thin but seem to hold up fine over time. The biggest difference is that my middle name is now spelled in full which the clerk at the SecState window did mention when I submitted my documents. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2024, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-your-real-id-flimsy/1004475/7 "2024-07-19T22:30:53Z")
My FL RealID license is just like a credit card. Same size and thickness stiff plastic, no lamination. Only difference between the DL & a typical CC is both sides of the DL are an image, not engraved or screen-printed. No swipe strip, chip, or tap. Yet. Good bet the OP’s Oklahoma government is just being their usual ignorant poverty-stricken selves. ---
**Author:** ![Nars\_Glinley](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nars_glinley/32/8177_2.png) [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2024, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-your-real-id-flimsy/1004475/8 "2024-07-19T22:49:32Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > Good bet the OP’s Oklahoma government is just being their usual ignorant poverty-stricken selves. They prefer to refer to it as “The Oklahoma Standard” but, yeah. ---
**Author:** ![Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eyebrows_0f_doom/32/3119_2.png) [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eyebrows_0f_Doom)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2024, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-your-real-id-flimsy/1004475/9 "2024-07-19T22:51:16Z")
There is no difference in feel from the old one at all with my new NY REAL ID, it just has the star in the corner. Still a thick plastic like a credit card. ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2024, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-your-real-id-flimsy/1004475/10 "2024-07-19T23:03:10Z")
I learned in the [Interesting Facts thread](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across/851674/9893) that Oklahoma City is planning to build the tallest skyscraper in the nation. Every gram shaved off the weight of personal items gives it a slightly better chance of not collapsing. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2024, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-your-real-id-flimsy/1004475/11 "2024-07-19T23:15:06Z")
> [@thelurkinghorror](#): > > It’s exactly the same as the old ID just has a star in the corner. Thirded. ---
**Author:** ![Nars\_Glinley](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nars_glinley/32/8177_2.png) [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2024, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-your-real-id-flimsy/1004475/12 "2024-07-19T23:20:42Z")
Yes they are. It’s about 2.5 times taller than the current tallest building in Oklahoma and is desperately needed. 🙄 ---
**Author:** ![liirogue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/dbc845/32.png) [@liirogue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/liirogue)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2024, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-your-real-id-flimsy/1004475/13 "2024-07-20T17:07:32Z")
> [@Nars\_Glinley](#): > > My Real ID feels like it might self destruct when I pull it out of my wallet. > > Is this the nature of Real IDs or is it just an Oklahoma thing? I also have an Oklahoma Real ID and mine isn’t like that at all. I find **LSLGuy** ’s description to be more accurate - very similar to a credit card in regard to thickness and semi-rigidity. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2024, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-your-real-id-flimsy/1004475/14 "2024-07-20T17:42:02Z")
I’m comparing my Real ID with my wife’s ID that is real but not Real. Star in the corner and full middle name. That’s the only difference. Same size, thickness and feel. ---
**Author:** ![Nars\_Glinley](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nars_glinley/32/8177_2.png) [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2024, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-your-real-id-flimsy/1004475/15 "2024-07-20T19:13:36Z")
How long have you had yours? I got mine about a year ago. Maybe they’ve changed. ---
**Author:** ![liirogue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/dbc845/32.png) [@liirogue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/liirogue)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2024, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-your-real-id-flimsy/1004475/16 "2024-07-21T15:25:58Z")
I’ve had mine about 9 months. ---
**Author:** ![LurkMeister](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/3da27b/32.png) [@LurkMeister](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LurkMeister)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2024, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-your-real-id-flimsy/1004475/17 "2024-07-21T15:59:55Z")
My NC Real ID is identical to the standard state ID it replaced except for the gold star. NC mails the IDs and driver licenses instead of giving them to you at the DMV office. They do give you a temporary paper ID in case you need it before you get the permanent one; I was assured that this would be accepted by the TSA; fortunately I got the real one before I traveled. ---
**Author:** ![Nars\_Glinley](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nars_glinley/32/8177_2.png) [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2024, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-your-real-id-flimsy/1004475/18 "2024-07-21T17:59:01Z")
I would be nervous as hell facing a TSA agent with just a piece of paper. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2024, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-your-real-id-flimsy/1004475/19 "2024-07-22T00:05:48Z")
> [@Nars\_Glinley](#): > > I would be nervous as hell facing a TSA agent with just a piece of paper. They gave me a temporary one as well. But I still had my old DL which didn’t expire for a few more weeks. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Strangelove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.strangelove/32/6613_2.png) [@Dr.Strangelove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Strangelove)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2024, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-your-real-id-flimsy/1004475/20 "2024-07-22T00:21:25Z")
Every one of my CA licenses (back to the 90s, up to the latest Real ID one) has the same dimensions and is 0.76-0.77 mm thick. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-your-real-id-flimsy/1004475.md?page=2)