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This archival content was originally written for and published on KPCC.org. Keep in mind that links and images may no longer work — and references may be outdated.

KPCC Archive

DMV unveils new California drivers license

California Department of Motor Vehicles unveiled the newly-designed driver license, Oct. 5, 2010.
California Department of Motor Vehicles unveiled the newly-designed driver license, Oct. 5, 2010.
(
dmv.ca.gov
)

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DMV unveils new California drivers license
DMV unveils new California drivers license

California's Department of Motor Vehicles unveiled today a new drivers license and ID that is supposed to be much more difficult for forgers to replicate.

The new license – available starting this week - feature holographs and images only visible in UV or black light, and raised signatures.

"The newly-designed cards contain multiple layers of security features," said Mike Morando, with the DMV.

Illustrations also adorn the reverse side of the new card, and identification cards for those Californians under 21 years of age contain a different format that "gives retailers and law enforcement instant identification toward identifying the age of the card holder," Morando said.

The card's use of new technologies also make it more difficult for counterfeiters to duplicate.

"The UV image is extremely difficult to counterfeit," Morando said.

Cost to produce the new cards has risen to $1.38 per card, compared to the 75 cents the state spent to produce the previous cards. Renewing a drivers license will cost "an extra couple of dollars," Morando said.

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