New Utah Driver’s License Design Contains Added Security Features

In an effort to better protect the identities of its mobile citizens, Utah is taking a new security initiative at the Department of Public Safety – Driver License Division this summer. The Utah Department of Public Safety’s Driver License Division began issuing newly designed driver license and identification cards in June, with a roll-out plan covering the next five years (see below).

Complying with the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators (AAMVA), the new Utah driver’s license design includes a number of security-focused features designed to improve fraud protection, counterfeiting and alteration. Recipients of the new Utah license will be protected with laser perforation, 1D and 2D barcodes containing demographic information and a unique ID number, and a laser-engraved ghost image embedded into the license.

As seen in the image above, a beehive image is embedded directly into the cardstock of the back of the license, allowing ID verification officials to determine a Utah driver’s license’s validity by simply holding it up to the light. Drivers should expect their new licenses to arrive within 6-8 weeks of application or renewal. While waiting for their license to be made, drivers can feel confident in the protection of their identity with their temporary licenses as well. Security measures taken on temporary Utah driver’s licenses include a ‘VOID’ watermark that will appear only when the security paper is photocopied, a “Split Fountain” in the background (color gradient), and a delicate arch pattern behind the ID number. For more information on the new cards and to see other variations of the new Utah driver’s license designs, click here.