Via D.C. DMV.

Do you have a D.C. driver’s license or identification card? Thanks to the federal government, you’ll need to take a trip to a Department of Motor Vehicles location to replace it with a REAL ID. Issuing begins May 1.

“So my license isn’t real anymore?” you may be wondering. It is, and it isn’t.

A REAL ID credential, an anti-terrorism measure recommended by the 9/11 Commission, will be required to access federal facilities in October and to board a plan sometime after 2016. A current license will still be usable for driving and local identification purposes. The only difference appearance-wise is a star in the upper right hand corner.

After May 1, people who want to apply, renew or replace their current license or ID must go in-person to a DMV center to show documents that verify they are who they say they are. This also applies to people who need to change their address.

But if you don’t fall under those categories, the DMV is still coming for you. Notifications will be sent via mail and email during the next year notifying people they need to come in. This is a free service*, while something like changing an address costs the normal fee. Here are the documents you’ll need.

Hey, at least the Georgetown location is open again!

*If you don’t value the hours of your life you’ll spend there.