Texas Driver’s License Format Revealed: What You Need to Know
In Texas, as in most states across the U.S., having a driver’s license is a necessity for residents to legally operate a motor vehicle. Recently, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) unveiled a new driver’s license format that aims to enhance security features and reduce the risk of fraud.
The new Texas driver’s license format includes several key elements that are designed to make the license more difficult to counterfeit and easier for law enforcement officials to verify. One of the most noticeable changes is the inclusion of a vertical orientation for licenses issued to individuals under the age of 21. This change is intended to quickly and easily identify minors who are not yet of legal drinking age.
In addition to the vertical orientation for minors, the new Texas driver’s license format also includes a number of other security features. These features include a tactile date of birth that can be felt by touch, as well as a laser-engraved black-and-white photo of the license holder. The inclusion of these features makes it more difficult for fake IDs to be produced and easier for law enforcement to quickly identify and verify legitimate licenses.
Another important change in the new Texas driver’s license format is the inclusion of a gold star in the top right corner of the license. This gold star indicates that the license holder has presented the necessary documents to DPS to verify their identity and legal presence in the United States. This change brings Texas into compliance with the federal REAL ID Act, which requires states to meet certain security standards for driver’s licenses and identification cards.
While the new Texas driver’s license format offers improved security features, it also comes with some changes that may impact residents. One of the most notable changes is the cost of obtaining a driver’s license, which has increased to $32 for a standard license and $33 for a REAL ID-compliant license. Additionally, residents who are not yet of legal drinking age will now receive a vertical orientation on their license, which could potentially lead to issues with using the license as a form of identification in certain situations.
Despite these changes, the Texas DPS is confident that the new driver’s license format will help to enhance security and reduce the risk of fraud. In a statement released by the department, DPS Director Steven McCraw stated, “We are committed to providing Texans with the most secure and reliable forms of identification possible. The new driver’s license format is a significant step forward in our efforts to protect the integrity of our state’s identification documents.”
Overall, the new Texas driver’s license format represents a positive step forward in enhancing security and reducing the risk of fraud for residents of the Lone Star State. While there may be some initial adjustments for individuals obtaining a new license, the benefits of improved security and verification outweigh any potential challenges. Residents of Texas can rest assured that their driver’s license is now more secure than ever before, thanks to the enhancements made in the new format.
