New Jersey
The REAL ID deadline, and rules N.J. drivers must follow to qualify
Over the past few years getting a REAL ID appointment, especially in North and parts of Central Jersey, was challenging, but Connolly said that is no longer the case.
“We currently have a very broad capacity to issue REAL ID across the state, and there are same day and next day appointments available,” he said.
He noted the MVC is currently offering three thousand REAL ID appointments at twenty eight different licensing centers across the state, every day.
“As COVID has receded our capacity to issue documents and process customers has gone up dramatically,” he said.
Connelly said those customers who need to renew their driver’s licenses in the next three months should consider whether they would like to get a REAL ID or not, and then follow up with an appointment.
In order to qualify for a REAL ID, drivers must follow a complicated set of instructions.
Connolly said the best way to keep track of all of this is to visit the website and identify the required documents.
Noble said the decision about getting a REAL ID really comes down to frequent travelers.
“If their license is up for renewal and they’re going to be traveling, then by all means get the REAL ID,” she said.
What do you need to get a REAL ID license in New Jersey?
The New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission requires two proofs of residential address, proof of social security number, and an additional six points of Identification.
In order to show two proofs of residential address, you need two of the following:
- A valid N.J. driver license or non-driver identification card, or a Motor Vehicle Commission issued driver license renewal form (displaying residential address)
- A utility or credit card bill issued in the past ninety days
- An original, unexpired lease or rental agreement
- A tax bill, statement or receipt, and/or any letter or correspondence received from the IRS or tax office within the past year
- First class mail from any government agency in the past six months
- If under 18, a statement from parent or guardian certifying address of applicant
To show proof of your Social Security number you need one of the following:
- A Social Security Card (if you known your Social Security number but don’t have an actual card you can enter it on the REAL ID application and MVC will verify it electronically)
- A pay stub with your name and full SSN
- A W-2 or 1099 Form issued within the past year
You must also produce a total of six additional points of primary and secondary ID. For primary ID you will need one of the following:
- An unexpired U.S. passport or passport card
- A U.S. or U.S. Territory birth certificate certified copy filed with a state office of vital statistics or equivalent agency in the individual’s state of birth
- A U.S. Department of State birth certificate (Form FS-545 or DS-1350)
- A U.S. Department of State Consular Report of Birth Abroad (Form FS-240)
- A Certificate of Naturalization (Form N-550, N-578, or N-570)
- A Certificate of Citizenship (Form N-560 or N-561)
- A Permanent Resident Card (Form I-551) issued by USCIS (with expiration date)
- An unexpired foreign passport with valid visa and I-94 (stamp or form version)
- A photo employment authorization card (USCIS Form I-688B or I-766)
- As secondary ID you will need to select two of the following:
- An unexpired standard photo driver license from N.J. or any state, or U.S. Territory, and the District of Columbia
- An unexpired standard non-driver identification card from NJ only
- A Social Security card
- A bank/credit union statement or record (within the past 60 days)
- An ATM/debit card with printed name and applicant’s signature (ATM/debit card and bank statement cannot be submitted together)
- A current health insurance card or prescription card displaying applicant’s name
- A current employee identification card with pay stub
- A state professional license
- A N.J. public assistance card with photo (also known as an N.J. Social Services identification card)
- A high school diploma, GED or college degree
- A property tax statement, bill or receipt issued by an N.J. municipality
- For N.J. high school students: a waiver certificate for the written portion of the driver’s test
- A Veterans Administration universal access photo identification card
- An unexpired federal government employee driver license
- An unexpired federal government employee photo identification card
- U.S. military discharge papers (Form DD-214)
- An FAA pilot license
- A U.S. school photo identification card with transcript or school records
- A U.S. college photo identification card with transcript
- A legal name change court order signed by a judge or court clerk
- A civil marriage or civil union certificate or divorce decree
- U.S. adoption papers
- A current U.S. military photo identification card or a current U.S. military dependent card or a
- A U.S. military photo retiree card
- An NJ firearm purchaser card
- An unexpired REAL ID driver license, non-driver identification card, or probationary license from any state, U.S. territory and the District of Columbia
Every year comes with its own personality, but New Jersey doesn’t wait around to see what the rest of the country decides is “in.” We move fast here. We adapt. We complain loudly — and then we make it part of our routine. Somewhere between a jughandle turn and a diner refill, 2026 developed a very Jersey personality. You may not have noticed it happening, but you’re already living it.
Here are 10 things that feel unmistakably so 2026, Garden State edition.
The way New Jersey talks now (and what it really means)
Calling every inconvenience “a situation.”
Traffic? Situation. School drop-off? Situation. The coffee machine acting up? Full-blown situation.
Quietly flexing about not pumping gas.
We don’t brag. We just casually mention it… often.
Errands, routines and the New Jersey sense of time
Planning an entire weekend around one errand.
Costco, Home Depot, or MVC — choose wisely and clear your schedule.
Checking Dan Zarrow’s forecast on the NJ101.5 app religiously.
Because if you’re going to trust the weather, it might as well be someone who knows New Jersey.
Having a “favorite small town” you don’t live in.
You’ve “been a few times.” You “get the vibe.”
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Roads, tolls and the daily traffic psychology of NJ
Treating tolls like a personal betrayal.
Every increase feels targeted, and we all do the same mental math at the booth anyway.
Explaining traffic circles and roundabouts like a survival skill.
Somehow we all know exactly what to do — except when we don’t.
Money stress, comfort food and Garden State coping mechanisms
Treating diners as emotional support buildings.
Coffee refills fix things. It’s science.
Complaining about taxes while never actually leaving.
Because deep down, we know better.
Comparing energy bills like it’s a competitive sport.
Nobody likes the numbers, but everyone wants to know if theirs is worse.
The truth is, 2026 in New Jersey isn’t about trends you see online. It’s about habits, shortcuts, shared frustrations, and small victories we all pretend are normal. And if you read this nodding along, congratulations — you’re not behind the times. You’re just right on schedule… in New Jersey.
Best New Jersey Diners For Breakfast and Lunch
Thank you to our New Jersey listeners for these recommendations.
Gallery Credit: Bill Spadea
New Jersey
Though down from previous month, New Jersey online casinos post November revenue record in 2025
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While online casinos in New Jersey fell short of another revenue record, November was still the state’s second-best month ever with over $253 million.
They’ve been around for over 12 years, yet online casinos in New Jersey continue to find ways to set revenue records. After posting the industry’s largest single-month total in October, NJ online casinos last month combined for $253 million to set a November record and ranks as the second-biggest single-month total in Garden State history.
NJ online casinos set single-year record with one month left
Since launching in 2013, NJ online casinos have continually set high-water marks – even now, a dozen years later.
With $253 million in November revenue, as reported by the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement, casino apps in the Garden State now sit at just over $2.64 billion for the year, leading to $455 million in state tax revenue. With one month left in 2025, the industry has already set a single-year record, which previously stood at around $2.4 billion.
To further put into perspective the growth of online gambling in New Jersey, the industry is over 22% ahead of the 11-month pace it set in 2024. Consider the first 14 months of online casinos in NJ, during which time operators combined for a mere $131.2 million in revenue.
While it’s unlikely that NJ online casinos will reach the $3 billion mark by the end of the year, iGaming has proven it can continue to grow after more than 10 years of existence.
FanDuel Casino, DraftKings Casino continue to set pace
While the monthly total is one for the books, the standard brands set themselves apart from the rest of the market.
For example, FanDuel Casino – which new users can sign up with and claim the FanDuel casino bonus – reported $60.2 million. That was well ahead of the second-place DraftKings Casino bonus, which helped drive $49.6 million in November.
Along with the BetMGM Casino app ($30.6 million), Borgata Casino ($20.6 million) and Caesars Palace Online Casino ($19.3 million), the top five revenue-earners in November accounted for more than 71% of the total online casino total in November.
New Jersey
Ice, freezing rain alerts expand to 10 N.J. counties. Wind advisory issued for 50 mph gusts Monday.
Winter weather advisories have been expanded to 10 New Jersey counties with freezing rain that could cause a dangerous layer of ice tonight.
The National Weather Service has also issued a wind advisory for 16 counties Monday with up to 50 mph gusts possible.
The more immediate concern is freezing rain already hitting the state Sunday evening.
Winter weather advisories for Bergen, Essex, Hudson Passaic and Union counties expire between 10 p.m. and midnight.
Winter weather advisories for Hunterdon, Morris, Somerset, Sussex and Warren counties take effect at 6 p.m. and run through 2 a.m.
As temperatures remain near or below freezing across northern New Jersey this evening, precipitation will fall as freezing rain, particularly in Warren and Morris counties where a glaze to one-tenth of an inch of ice accumulation is possible.
The National Weather Service warns that even areas outside the advisory that remain near freezing at the onset of precipitation could experience localized icing, especially on shaded surfaces that have remained below freezing for more than 36 hours.
Temperatures will rise above freezing areawide during the pre-dawn hours Monday as a warm front lifts through the region, changing any remaining freezing rain to plain rain.
A brief break in the rain is likely prior to daybreak Monday.
The warm front will be quickly followed by a strong cold front Monday afternoon, bringing another period of rain that may be moderate in intensity at times.
High temperatures Monday will reach the upper 40s along the coast before the cold front passes, bringing high winds to the area.
The wind advisory for 16 counties runs from 10 a.m. Monday to 1 p.m. Tuesday. Just Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Passaic and Union counties are not under wind advisories.
“Strong westerly winds develop Monday with wind gusts up to 50 mph and a wind advisory has been issued,” the weather service said Sunday evening. “Some tree damage and power outages possible.”
Tuesday will be markedly colder with high temperatures struggling to rise above freezing even at the Jersey Shore.
Wind chills in the teens and low 20s are expected during the day.
Skies will be partly cloudy with continued gusty winds of 20 to 30 mph.
Wednesday brings slightly milder conditions with highs in the mid 30s to near 40 degrees, though it remains well below normal for late December.
The extended forecast shows below-normal temperatures continuing through the end of the week and into the New Year.
Thursday may bring a chance of snow showers as a weak cold front passes through, though accumulations are expected to be light.
Friday looks dry with highs in the low to mid 30s.
Another weather system may impact the area late next weekend, potentially bringing a mix of rain and snow, though forecast confidence remains low for that timeframe.
Current weather radar
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