RI Division of Motor Vehicles issuing advanced driver’s license

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New card complies with strengthened federal security standards

CRANSTON, R.I. – The R.I. Division of Motor Vehicles this month will begin issuing

driver’s licenses and identification cards featuring a new background – the iconic

Claiborne Pell Newport Bridge — as the state adopts safety measures to better

protect Rhode Islanders against fraud and identity theft. The new design replaces a

configuration introduced in 2003.

Among the features are:

* An optically variable pattern including the state name, state seal, an

anchor and stars. When viewed from different angles these design elements appear to

shift.

* A large primary license-holder portrait, along with a smaller «ghost»

portrait.

* A date of birth printed in three locations.

* Ink that glows when exposed to an ultraviolet light source.

* A «document discriminator,» or inventory control number, and a barcode.

* Tamper-resistant cards.

The new cards will meet or exceed the latest nationally accepted card design

standards. The Division of Motor Vehicles will transition driver’s licenses to the

more secure cards this month along with the installation of cameras at work stations

at DMV and AAA offices around the state.

The cameras are part of a streamlined process that will be introduced with the new

cards. Instead of having to go to two work stations to complete their transactions,

all work can be done at one station.

The cameras will be installed by the end of the summer at all work stations in the

DMV’s main office in Cranston, its branch offices in Middletown, Wakefield, Warren,

Westerly and Woonsocket, as well as AAA offices. Customers served at works stations

with the new cameras will receive a temporary identity document as DMV patrons do

now. They will receive their new card, mailed from a secure location, within three

weeks. Once Rhode Islanders receive their cards, the DMV urges them to destroy their

old cards.

Rhode Island licenses with the existing design and features will remain valid

throughout the transition period. If a resident’s license or ID is valid and not up

for renewal, there is nothing they need to do until it’s time to renew. Current

cards will remain valid until their expiration date.

The fee for driver’s licenses, instruction permits or identification cards will not

change as a result of this new design. The fee table can be found here:

The DMV encourages customers to renew their driver’s license or identification cards

online at www.dmv.ri.gov<http://www.dmv.ri.gov>. License renewal applicants must

have a new picture taken at a DMV or AAA office every 10 years.

The new licenses were designed in conjunction with MorphoTrust USA, of Billerica,

Mass., and will be produced using the company’s ExianEvident technology. Rhode

Island will be the second New England state, and the 13th state overall, using

ExianEvident technology.

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