Pennsylvania Gets New License Design: See It Here

Hey Pennsylvania: Your driver's license just got a makeover.

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation announced this week it has updated the license design as well as added some enhanced security features. The 22-month effort to revamp the license has culminated in a pilot program for the new product, which began this week at the PennDOT Harrisburg location.

All locations will be transitioning to the new design by the end of October 2017.

The cards look "very different" and have enhanced security features intended to improve fraud prevention and protect from counterfeiting and alteration.

Here's what they look like:

The new products will be phased in over the next four-year renewal cycle and will replace existing products. Both current and new card designs will be in circulation during the transition period.

"The update is an important component of PennDOT's ongoing work to enhance and protect the integrity of the driver license and identification card issuance process," said PennDOT Secretary Leslie S. Richards.

According to PennDOT, some of the enhanced features include:

• Larger primary portrait and smaller ghost portrait
• 2-D barcode, which contains data from the front of the card unique to the cardholder
• Laser perforation — The keystone outline with "PA" is embedded into the cardstock and can be observed by holding the card up to any light source
• Laminate — Each card is laminated with an optically-variable pattern with the state motto, "Virtue, Liberty, Independence;" Keystone outline; and "1787," the year when the U.S. Constitution was ratified by Pennsylvania.
• The magnetic strip has been eliminated on the back of the newly designed driver's license and identification cards.

Residents should know the new cards are not REAL ID-compliant.

"System, building infrastructure, and process changes will be necessary for Pennsylvania to issue REAL ID-compliant products. PennDOT anticipates that REAL ID-compliant driver licenses and identification cards will be available at customer's option in 2019," PennDOT said.

Pennsylvania is in the process of getting an extension for its REAL-ID deadline.