The Motor Vehicle Association (MVA) in Maryland has announced that it will issue a new driver’s license and state ID cards. The new cards will be available June 20th of this year and will begin to be issued after July 11th, 2016.
Maryland has not updated their IDs since 2003. The MVA decided to do this as a security measure; goal is to protect its citizens against identity theft and prevent counterfeiting. The new security features on the ID will make it very difficult for the IDs to be replicated. The IDs are also compliant with the Real ID Act. An extra security precaution includes mailing the new IDs from a secure MVA facility, so counterfeiters will have a reduced chance to access the equipment that produces the IDs as well as personal information.
Some of the new features include:
- Three images of the cardholder, two on the front and one on the back
- Laser engraving
- Inventory control number
- Raised print
Per the Baltimore Sun’s article, “This card is the most secure driver’s license in the United States today,” state Transportation Secretary Pete K. Rahn said. “It has numerous layered security features that are going to make the Maryland driver’s license, learner’s permit and ID the most difficult to tamper with, and in fact, I would predict, not for many years are we going to see anyone with the ability to falsify a Maryland driver’s license.”
What changes did Maryland make to their drivers license in 2016?
In 2016, Maryland launched a new drivers license and ID format with the following changes:
- 2 additional images of the ID holder’s face on the document
- Laser engraving
- Unique inventory number separate from the drivers license number
- Additional security features
