Documents you need to get a ‘Real ID’ to board a plane

QSo we will need original or certified documents in order to get the new federal “Real ID” to board a plane. What is meant by original or certified documents? — Mary Linduska

AIn order to apply for a Real ID driver license or ID card, you must visit a DMV field office and submit federally required ID documents such as a U.S. passport, passport card, an original or certified copy of a birth certificate, also proof of Social Security number on a W-2, or paystub.

The identity and Social Security are the only two that need to be original or certified — meaning the “original” version of that document or “certified” that a state or federal department has reissued.

You’ll also need a residency document like a utility bill.

Some folks also will need to present a marriage certificate, divorce decree or court document, depending on the name on their identity document and the name on their driver’s license application. But there’s no hurry. A Real ID driver license or ID card or other federally accepted identification won’t be required to board a domestic flight until Oct. 1, 2020, but are now available.

For more information, go to RealID.dmv.ca.gov.

QWith the Highway 92/El Camino Real work in San Mateo, the westbound 92 off-ramp now has three exit lanes onto El Camino.

The middle lane allows a left and right turn, and the traffic light facing the middle lane has a red right arrow to indicate no turn on red.

But the light facing the right lane does not have a red arrow — just the red circle.

Does that mean turns on red are allowed from the right lane but not the middle lane? — Sam Carver, San Mateo

AYes, but this will change. This is confusing and Caltrans has decided to replace the red arrow with circles to clear matters up.

QI woke up the other day to markings on my street. What is planned? — Rona Layton, San Jose

AThese markings are placed in advance of work that will require digging up the roadway like paving.

The “USA” stands for Underground Service Alert to mark utility locations with spray paint.

The 10’ mark means that the area extends 10 feet in the direction of the arrow.

QA reader suggested renaming Caltrain to a “art” name like BART and SMART. How about “The Gilroy And San Francisco Area Rapid Transit,” or GASFART? — Michael Foster, San Jose

ANow, that is a name we would notice.