DMV News Releases
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASETuesday, July 14, 2009
Media Contact: Melanie Stokes
Department of Motor Vehicles
(804) 367-6623
New Secure Driver's License Process in Place at all DMV Offices
Customers Will Receive Tamper-proof Credentials Via Mail
RICHMOND - The final DMV customer service center (CSC) was transitioned to the new driver's license central issuance process last month. "This is a great milestone for our Commonwealth as all DMV offices are now using the new, more secure issuance system," said DMV Commissioner D.B. Smit.
Credentials are now produced in one, central facility -- a high-security card production center in Danville -- instead of being issued over the counter at all 74 DMV offices. "Central issuance is a safer and more secure way to handle one of the most important documents a person possesses," Smit added. Fifteen U.S. states already issue driver's licenses and ID cards through a centralized process.
Customers may still apply for driver's licenses and ID cards at DMV offices. At the end of the transaction, customers receive a temporary driving permit or an ID card receipt that's valid for 30 days. New cards are in the mail within three days, usually arriving within 10 to 15 days. DMV must have a customer's current mailing address to ensure receipt of the new card in the mail. If you have moved, your new credential will not be forwarded to your new address unless you notify DMV of your address change.
In conjunction with the new issuance method, Virginia's driver's licenses and ID cards also look completely different. "More document security features are available for centrally produced cards," Smit explained.
The new cards have a number of advanced security features. The one customers notice first is a clear window with a second, black and white photograph of the cardholder, visible from the front and back of the card. Virginia's cards will be only the third in the world and the first in the U.S. to carry this feature.
Both the clear window picture and the larger photo of the cardholder are laser engraved inside the body of the card, making it almost impossible to replace, alter or print over the pictures.
The cards are made of polycarbonate materials. Features including security printing, fine lines, variable patterns, micro-lettering and overlapping data cannot be reproduced with desktop printers.
"To protect Virginians' security, DMV strives to remain current with practices that deter driver's license fraud by increasing controls on the issuance process and strengthening the credential itself," Smit said. "The new design, security features and issuance process makes Virginia's driver's licenses and ID cards one of the most secure and trusted state-issued credentials in the nation."
