TOPEKA – Starting this week, Kansans will start receiving a redesigned and more secure driver’s license.
“We are committed to protecting people from driver’s license fraud and identity fraud,” said Director of Vehicles Donna Shelite. “That sort of fraud is typically a building block crime from which more serious crimes are committed.”
Shelite and Revenue Secretary Nick Jordan along with Governor Sam Brownback unveiled the new design at a news conference on Tuesday.
“It is important to protect the integrity of our identification cards for all Kansans,” Brownback said. “This new card will make illegal duplication very difficult, and in turn will protect Kansas citizens better.”
The new license includes several security features that make it extremely difficult for counterfeiters to forge including:
• Ultra-violet image of the cardholder’s portrait and date of birth on the back of the card (viewable with UV light)
• Multi-colored, highly detailed holograms
• Highly detailed ultra-violet (UV) image of the state flower (viewable with UV light)
• Two ghost images of the cardholder’s portrait in addition to the conventional photograph
• Tactile printing that you can feel
Kansas’ driver’s license and ID card design was last changed in 2004; states typically change their designs every four to six years.
“The new Kansas driver’s license card is among the most secure in the country,” said Alcoholic Beverage Control Director Dean Reynoldson, who also oversees the department’s Office of Special Investigations, which investigates driver’s license fraud. “The card, combined with a new more secure driver’s license and ID card application process, makes Kansas one of the most difficult states to commit driver’s license or identification card fraud.”
Driver’s license and ID cards using the old design will still be valid and people will not need to come in to get a new card until their current card expires. The new design will also not cost extra.