WASHINGTON (WUSA9) -- On May 1st, the DC Department of Motor Vehicles will be issuing new driver licenses called REAL ID, to comply with federal standards.
The people who will need these new IDs are those who need to get into federal buildings and those who fly. The current drivers licenses still work to be identified locally, but that's about it.
Here's what you need to know:
- By this fall you will need this new ID to get into federal buildings and by 2016 you will need it to board a flight, unless you have a passport.
- The only big difference you'll notice is a star in the right hand corner.
- If you go to the DMV, you need to bring two forms of proof of residency, proof of identity and a social security number.
- If this is your first time getting a license, you'll need to take a test to qualify.
Just over half a million people carry a D.C. driver license, so if you can imagine all those people rushing to get one around the same time then you might want to consider going sooner rather than later.
Normal fees for getting new IDs apply, however, if you do not need a replacement or duplicate ID, the DMV will contact you about a certain time during the week to come in and you will not be required to pay a fee.
Your current license or ID card is valid until the DMV notifies you to make an in-person visit.
More information is available here: http://dmv.dc.gov/page/real-id-credential
