Waiting at the DMV for your REAL ID? How to stay occupied in line

If you haven't participated in America's favorite pastime of waiting at your local department of motor vehicles or driver's license bureau recently, now's your chance.

The 2005 REAL ID Act is taking effect on May 7, which has new requirements for state-issued identification cards like driver's licenses. So, if you use a state-issued license without a REAL ID star on it as your primary form of identification at an airport, you may not be able to fly at all.

You can still use other forms of TSA-approved identification to fly, like a valid U.S. passport, military ID or Department of Homeland Security trusted traveler card.

Obtaining a REAL ID requires you to appear in person, which has caused a surge in appointments across the country. How long it takes varies largely at the state and local level with some license offices seeing weeks-long wait times for an appointment.

So if you find yourself waiting in line for a REAL ID, we came up with some things you can do to keep your sanity:

Get through at least ¾ of 'The Godfather'

It’s a movie that’s been on your list for years, but you always say you never have time to watch it. Well, now’s your chance to make yourself comfortable in a room full of strangers on a plastic chair and get to watching.

Pro tip: Make some popcorn at home and bring it to munch on while you wait.

Make a sandwich

Who knows how long you’ll have to wait, so you'd better make sure you don’t get hungry. Bring all of your ingredients in a cooler and start assembling your dream sub once your stomach starts growling.

Pro tip: Don't settle for paper plates, bring your best china from home.

Stalk your exes on social media and wonder what you’d say to them if your paths crossed at the DMV

You never know who could walk through the door, so it’s only right that you do your research just in case you’re confronted by an old flame.

Pro tip: Make sure you have a snarky comment at the ready. (E.g., “Look at you finally being an adult.”)

Sign up for a half marathon

You know, in the time that you may wait for your REAL ID, you could run a half marathon (with proper training, of course), so why not register for one a few months down the line?

Pro tip: Tell everyone at the DMV that you signed up so that you don’t back out.

Do a face mask and put in heatless curls

Influencers do it on the airplane, so what’s wrong about doing it while you wait for your new ID?

Pro tip: Be prepared to get some sideways glances from others. But it won’t matter once you look fresh and glowy.

Stretch out with some yoga

Those plastic chairs are really not ergonomic, so make sure you get a good stretch in the aisle.

Pro tip: Bring a yoga mat so you don’t have to touch the dirty floor.

CONTRIBUTING: Alan Nguyen, Carlie Procell, illustrations by Veronica Bravo