Driver's License

NEW DRIVER'S LICENSE FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

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Press Release

What is different about these new Drivers' License (DL) and Identification (ID) cards?
The card layout and format are slightly different, but the textual information included on drivers' licenses and identification cards has not changed.

Additionally, the types of driver's licenses remain the same, but they are designated by a new color scheme, reflecting international standards:

• All Drivers' Licenses: Red color bar, text is "DRIVER'S LICENSE"
• All Commercial Drivers' Licenses (CDL): Red color bar, text is "CDL"
• All Temporary Visitor Drivers' Licenses (TVDL): Purple color bar, text is "TVDL"
• All Identification Cards (ID): Green color bar, text is "ID CARD".

The card for drivers under the age of 21 remains oriented vertically, as it has been since 2005. The cards for persons aged 21 and over remains oriented horizontally.

The card is made of different material, because it is now produced using updated technology. It no longer has a matte finish.

There are more security features for use by law enforcement and others who have a need to verify the authenticity of the card. These features include a ghost image, guilloche patterns (fine lines), a UV feature, and microtext.

On the back of ID cards only, the following text is included: "FOR IDENTIFICATION PURPOSES ONLY. NOT A LICENSE TO DRIVE."

The Office of the Secretary of State web site address, www.cyberdriveillinois.com, now appears on the back of both drivers' licenses and identification cards.

The Organ Donor designation has also changed. For cardholders who have joined the Organ/Tissue Donor Registry, the word "DONOR" is now inserted in a red graphic of the state. Areas for medical information remain on the back of the card, and are simply relocated.

There are no changes in fees, eligibility requirements, or any other aspect of applying for and obtaining a driver's license or identification card.

Is there any additional cost for the customer?
These improvements are being made with no fee increases to the customer.

When are these cards coming out?
These cards will initially be issued on October 23 at a pilot site located at the Melrose Park driver licensing facility.

The new equipment to issue these new cards will then be phased in statewide, starting in southern Illinois and moving north, beginning on November 6, 2007. All facilities should be converted to the new technology by the end of March 2008.

When do I need to come to a facility to get a new card?
You do not have to come in and get a different card just because of this design change. These new cards are being phased in as existing cards expire, or as they are replaced by corrected or duplicate cards. The current design for all existing cards remains valid until those cards expire. You will obtain a card with the new features when you renew your card, or if you have to get a duplicate or corrected card, if the facility you visit has the new technology on that date.

What information do the bar codes on the back of the card contain?
Illinois Driver's licenses currently have a 1-D bar code and a 2-D bar code. These existing bar codes have not changed. No new information about the cardholder is stored in them.

The existing 1-D bar code still contains only the driver's license or identification card number. It has been relocated to accommodate space needs.

The larger 2-D bar code contains text that is on the card front. It does not contain photo or signature. Most of the information is encrypted and available only to law enforcement. Retailers and others are only authorized to read the driver's license or identification card number, the date of birth, the expiration date, and cardholder name. This information allows them to verify age for alcohol or tobacco purchases.

A new smaller 1-D bar code has been added. It is for internal use only, and contains only numbers for inventory control. Card production materials are serialized, as an additional security feature. With serialization of materials, any cards not issued in our facilities and not on our databases can be immediately identified as fraudulent.

What does the card contain related to organ/tissue donation?
There are no changes in the overall Organ/Tissue Donor Registry program related to this card. All that has changed is how the information appears on the card.

For persons who have opted to join the organ donor registry, the indicator on the card front will now be a red image of Illinois with the word DONOR in the outline for the state. Previously, the word DONOR was printed in the side margin of the card, when applicable.

The state's new First-Person Consent law, effective January 2006, makes a person's wishes to be a donor legally binding. Witnesses or family consent is no longer required for donation to occur. Thus, the donor signature area on the card back is no longer needed. It has been removed, since this is the first time since passage of that law that card changes have been made.

What do I do with my Safe Driver Renewal Sticker?
The Safe Driver Renewal stickers should be placed on the back of the driver's license, in the same location as they have always been placed -- in the area at the bottom center of the back of the driver's license, where the literal descriptions of any applicable restrictions, class and endorsements are printed.

Why change card design and materials? How does this change benefit customers?
The Office of the Illinois Secretary of State needed and wanted to upgrade technology in its facilities, to maintain reliable, fast customer service. This technology upgrade meant changing card materials.

This change has created the opportunity to add security features to make the cards more difficult to alter or counterfeit. Keeping up with new technologies and continually identifying ways to reduce fraud and improve security remain top priorities for the Secretary of State's Office.

These new card materials also allow the Secretary of State to institute a new inventory control system, aimed at detecting any attempts at internal and external fraud.

Is this a "Real ID" Compliant Card?
The federal government has not yet issued any federal regulations for the Real ID Act. While this card contains features that we expect will be included in these future regulations, this card is not related to the Real ID Act.

When the regulations are issued, Illinois will determine if any additional changes are needed when those regulations take effect. Until then, Illinois will continue to make improvements to meet the immediate needs for technology upgrades and the challenges of ensuring card security.