The Lone Star State has rolled out a new design for its driver's licenses and identification cards starting Monday, with the aim of bolstering security measures and thwarting identity theft, as per the reports from the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS). In a statement obtained by CBS Austin, Sheri Gipson, the chief of DPS's Driver License Division, articulated that the "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."
Hitherto familiar with the gold star, Texans will now be introduced to a more tamper-resistant polycarbonate material featuring a black, laser-engraved star in the upper right corner, a change implemented to signal a Real ID. DPS has also moved to reformat the placement of personal information to ensure it is easier to read and identify, according to a report by KVUE. This material, DPS claims, is tough to reproduce and aligns with standards set by the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators.
Interestingly, though Texans will see this design alter their quintessential proof of identity, there is no immediate requirement to update current licenses, which will remain active till their listed expiration dates.
"The way driver licenses are made can make a big difference in terms of public safety," Gipson expressed in a statement provided by KVUE, confirming that the improved design will surely create additional challenges for people attempting to fraudulently create fake driver's licenses and ID cards.
The initiative reflects a continued effort by the Texas Department of Public Safety to stay ahead of nefarious efforts by criminals and to maintain the integrity of state-issued personal identification. For more information on the updated licenses and ID cards, CBS Austin and KVUE provide further details.
