U.S. Rep Josh Gottheimer is calling on the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission to expand access to REAL ID appointments now that a $45 fee is in effect for people traveling without one.

The Democratic congressman wrote a letter to MVC Acting Chief Administrator Rosalie Johnson, stating that New Jersey has the lowest REAL ID compliance rate in the country. Gottheimer says that only 17% of New Jersey residents have a REAL ID.

“New Jersey residents deserve timely access to REAL ID appointments, especially now that Jersey families will get charged if they don’t have it,” Gottheimer wrote in the letter. “I recognize that Johnson just inherited this issue, but way too many residents still cannot get an appointment, with many MVC locations booked months in advance.”

Johnson was recently appointed to the role by Gov. Mikie Sherrill. She previously held the role in Colorado and led the state to a 97% REAL ID compliance rate, according to a news release sent out by Gottheimer’s office.

Gottheimer says that 21 of the state’s 28 MVC locations list April 2026 as the earliest available appointment date for getting a REAL ID.

A spokesperson for the MVC sent News 12 a statement responding to Gottheimer's letter.

“REAL ID issuance is a top priority for Acting Chief Johnson and the Commission. The MVC continues to process, on average, over 20,000 new REAL IDs each week and has launched many initiatives over the past year to expand access," spokesperson William Connolly wrote in part. “We will not stop working to improve, find better ways to service customers effectively in our densely populated state, and innovate and enhance our operations statewide for the benefit of all our customers.”

The agency says it will be responding to Gottheimer's letter in the near future.