For the first time in 9 years, New York State is releasing a new and improved ID card. This redesign isn’t for aesthetic purposes, but instead it offers new features to help prevent counterfeit IDs. A statement from the DMV Commissioner, Mark J.F. Schroeder said, “At the DMV, we pride ourselves on providing secure identity documents to millions of New Yorkers and we introduce enhanced features every few years to stay at the cutting edge of emerging trends. We are confident in the security features on our current ID documents, however, the new security features on our redesigned documents will keep us one step ahead of potential counterfeiters.”  

Some of the new security features include:

• Embossed Text and Images that can be felt.
• The previously embedded chip is now exposed.
• The clear windows within the document and the state seal have been redesigned by a process called multiple laser imaging, which allows two different images to appear when the ID is held at different angles.

These new features went into effect on March 10, 2022, so anyone getting a new driver’s license or non-driver ID will receive the new and improved identification card.