The Thanksgiving season is one of the busiest travel times of the year. The DMV wants to make sure that you are prepared for busy airports so you can catch your flight with ease. Your travels will be easier when you take advantage of DMV online services to get your REAL ID.

Q: I am planning to fly home to visit my family this holiday season. Do I need a REAL ID to board domestic flights?

A: While you will not need a REAL ID to board domestic flights or to enter federal facilities this holiday season, you will next year. The enforcement date is May 3, 2023. We highly encourage all Californians to give themselves the gift of a REAL ID this holiday season. REAL ID appointments are available, and you can also check DMV Office wait times online if you do not have an appointment. Before you go, complete your REAL ID application online and simply finish the transaction in person at a DMV Office.

View a full list of acceptable documents and start your application online.

Q: I lost my driver’s license and need to replace it before flying home for Thanksgiving. Can I request a replacement online?

A: Yes, if your driver’s license (DL) has been lost, stolen, damaged or mutilated, a replacement DL can be requested online by following these steps:

— Create an online account (if you haven’t previously);

— If you’ve submitted a Change of Address (COA), confirm that the change has been processed and wait 14 days before requesting a replacement DL; (confirmation can be done in the COA system.)

— Be prepared to pay a fee for your replacement driver’s license.

You should receive your new DL card in the mail within two to four weeks. If you have not received your DL card after 60 days, call 1-800-777-0133 to check the status.

Q: My car registration is out of date, and I don’t have time to visit the DMV before the holidays. Can I renew my registration online?

A: Yes. Skip the line this holiday season and renew your vehicle registration online. The DMV offers a variety of online services that make completing your DMV business easy and efficient, from renewing vehicle registration to changing your address, or driver’s license renewal — and much more. You can find a list of online services at dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv-online/.

In addition to online services, the DMV offers other methods for completing select transactions to help reduce your trips to the DMV and save you time this holiday season, including DMV kiosks and Business Partner Automation (BPA) locations:

— DMV kiosks are freestanding self-service touchscreen devices that guide you through various DMV transactions, from registration renewal and payment to submitting proof of insurance. You can find a list of DMV kiosk locations at https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/locations/kiosks/.

— Our (BPA) program authorizes qualified partners to process vehicle-related transactions, including vehicle registration and titling, from their remote locations. Learn more about our BPA program and what transactions can be processed at https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/vehicle-industry-services/business-partner-automation-program/.

For more information or answers to questions not listed here, please visit www.dmv.ca.gov.