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Three tricks to skip the Real ID line at the DMV

Only 1 in 10 Tennesseans have Real IDs. By October 1, everyone will need the enhanced license in order to fly and enter federal buildings.

More than 500 thousand people now have the Real ID gold star on their Tennessee drivers license--enough to fill Neyland Stadium five times, but only equal to about one in ten drivers in the state. 

Come Oct. 1, anyone who clears security at the airport or enters a federal building will need the enhanced license or a passport. In recent months, driver services centers across the state have seen increased wait times. 

RELATED: Tennessee Real ID: Everything you need to know

Here are three ways you can try to beat the line. 

1. Be prepared

There are additional documents you need to bring to get your Real ID. Here's a full list. Knox County Clerk Sherry Witt said one of the most common mistakes people make is neglecting to bring a marriage or divorce certificate. If your name is different than on your social security card, you'll need to bring the official documentation. 

2. Get in line from home (but only in Maryville)

The state has started an online pilot program that allows people to make appointments and get in line with an e-ticket before going to the DMV. But there is a catch. It's only available at four locations across the state. In East Tennessee, Maryville is the pilot program location. Anyone can make an appointment here

RELATED: Tired of waiting in line? Tennessee launches appointments, e-tickets for driver services centers

RELATED: 'X' now available as gender alternative on Washington licenses, IDs

RELATED: Only about 4% of Tennesseans have the Real ID license with a year until the deadline

3. Check your county clerk

In Knox County, the clerk's office downtown--and at satellite offices across the county--issued 4,763 Real IDs in January on behalf of the state Department of Driver Services. 

"We think we’re taking some of the stress off them and hopefully the lines for our citizens that they won’t have to wait as long," Witt said. 

Knox is one of a number of clerks offices in the state that issue Real IDs. The same requirements apply. Here's the full list of counties where clerks are capable of issuing Real ID. 

The cost of getting the Real ID license is the same as getting a duplicate license. It's $8 if it's your first time replacing a non-expired license, and $12 for every other replacement after.

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