Texas debuts redesigned driver licenses and ID cards with tougher security features and a new REAL ID star
Texans are getting new driver’s licenses from now on. The Lone Star State is now issuing updated cards that feature new, stronger security measures. Let’s take a deeper look at why the state changed and what these new licenses have over the older versions.
It’s no shock that a state like Texas would update its driver’s licenses. As it, along with other states work to tighten security, the nation has adopted REAL ID standards for boarding flights in the same vein. These updated Texas licenses follow that lead and even go a bit further.
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Texas will now use a translucent polycarbonate material for the license itself. It’s one of a handful of states, including Colorado, New York, and Maryland, that use this material. Simply using this type of polycarbonate makes reproducing fake licenses considerably harder for criminals. At the same time, they remain compliant with the standards set by the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators (AAMVA).
In addition to the material itself, these new licenses get a reorganized personal information format for easier reading. The gold star previously used in older licenses is also gone in this new one. Instead, drivers will find a black star in the upper right-hand corner of the card, says CBS News.
“The way driver licenses are made can make a big difference in terms of public safety,” said DPS Driver License Division Chief Sheri Gipson. “This new card design will make it even more difficult for criminals to produce counterfeit cards, and it enhances ways we can protect Texans’ identities from being stolen.”
Moving forward, all new licenses in the state will be this way. Texans who still carry the older style don’t need to rush to replace it, since the previous version will remain valid until it naturally expires. After that, everyone will transition to the new design.
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