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The first 3.6 million REAL IDs in California need a quick fix

by in News

Q. Hi Honk: I recently got a new California driver’s license. Do the latest licenses meet the REAL ID requirements?

– Cliff Harris, Anaheim

A. Yes.

Those who have gone to a Department of Motor Vehicles office since April 30, armed with the proper documents, are OK.

A  mess was created when the Department of Homeland Security upped what is required to get a REAL ID mid-stream.

So the first 3.6 million Californians who endured a DMV office visit to get a REAL ID, including Honk and a Little Honk, well, they are getting letters explaining how to fix the problem:

Simply sign and date the paper and return it, with postage already paid.

That effort is further evidence that your residence is where you say it is.

When Honk began reading the letter he was rather irritated – until realizing that the remedy is so easy.

Now, the feds make the DMV require that extra info up front.

“Anyone who applied after April 29, 2019 is required to provide two residency documents at the time they apply,” Jaime Garza, a DMV spokesman, told Honk.

By the way, don’t worry if you tossed out that letter by accident.

“Individuals who either lost or did not receive a letter by Aug. 15, 2019 can request a letter using an online request form that is currently being developed,” Garza added.

Of course, you don’t have to get a REAL ID, which is a driver’s license or DMV-issued ID with extra powers.

Beginning Oct. 1, 2020, the federal government will require certain ID to board a domestic flight, and those licenses with the REAL ID’s bear and star icon on them will do the trick.

Q. Hello Honk: On Melinda Road in Rancho Santa Margarita, the posted speed limit just increased from 45 mph to 50 mph. But near Melinda Heights Elementary School are electronic speed-limit signs that detect the speed of vehicles. Those signs still flash 45 mph as the speed limit even though that has changed. Who do we contact to correct these?

– Lee Woxen, Rancho Santa Margarita

A. City Hall.

But Honk saved you the trouble, Lee, and got Jose Alire on the line. He is an associate traffic engineer for the city, and he explained that the City Council approved Melinda’s speed increase a couple of months ago – then staffers began the process of officially changing the limit.

The black-lettering-on-white background signs that make it official went up. And those flashing signs, meant to remind drivers of staying within the limit, will soon be adjusted as well.

Such increases in speed limits are based on surveys that track the speeds of vehicles on a certain type of street – in a sense letting motorists determine what is best.

If a city ignores the mandatory survey’s results, say to keep the speed low, under California law there are downfalls: Cops can’t use radar to nab speeders on that piece of roadway, and it could be difficult for a city to defend the posted speed in court.

Honkin’ fact: A 2014 Cadillac ATS owned by the late Burt Reynolds sold over the weekend at an auction held by Julien’s in Beverly Hills for $41,600. The actor had 15,000 miles on his ride, which was black with Florida State Seminole spears painted on the sides. The Cadillac carries a license-plate sequence of 22FSU – the number he wore as a running back at FSU. (Source: Julien’s Auctions).

To ask Honk questions, reach him at honk@ocregister.com. He only answers those that are published. To see Honk online: ocregister.com/tag/honk.