Governor Announces New
Design for
Georgia
Asphalt Stream - Transportation and Traffic News Blog |
More secure features; harder
to fake; and vertical license for under 21
7/9/09 Governor Sonny Perdue today announced that Georgia
Department of Driver Services (DDS) is preparing to issue new
and improved driver’s licenses and identification cards by fall
2009. The new cards will combat document fraud and protect the
identities of “Everyone knows all we have done to reduce lines and waits at
driver’s license centers, but another key priority of the
department is safeguarding the identities of New card production will begin at Conyers, “We are very excited about these innovative changes allowing Georgians to have one of the most secure cards in the nation,” said Gregory C. Dozier, DDS Commissioner. “It is a bright and modern card that our customers will be proud to carry.” The new documents are designed to be more difficult to counterfeit, alter or replicate. The license will remain roughly the size of a credit card. The new cards have several security features including ghost photos, a laser-engraved signature over the primary photo to minimize alterations and a tamper resistant coating placed over the card. The cards will feature machine-readable barcodes that can be used by banks, retailers and other businesses to verify the information printed on the front. Fees will not increase, and customers will continue to choose between a five-year or ten-year license or ID. “Under 21” A major security feature of the new process is designed to combat underage drinking. Cards issued to those “Under 21” will be printed in a vertical format, aiding retailers and law enforcement in identifying minors. Interim Another new security practice will be the issuance of an
interim driver’s license or ID. Interim documents will be
printed on special security paper which is highly sensitive and
will discolor after any attempt to alter it. It contains a photo
and signature to allow its use for identification purposes.
Interim cards will be valid for up to 45 days or until a
permanent laminated license or ID is mailed from the central
production print facility to the applicant’s mailing address on
file with DDS. Permanent License/ID The permanent licenses and IDs will be mailed directly to the
customer on a mailing carrier that is folded and enclosed in a
generic envelope without exposing the actual cards. When the
permanent card is received, the interim should be destroyed in
accordance with
Customer Service Improvements The new licensing system includes a new data management system with electronic imaging to scan documents where they may be securely stored and easily accessed later. DDS has taken great care in safeguarding our customer’s private information. Each customer’s personal information becomes a part of the personal driver’s license record. It will remain confidential and is disclosed only as authorized or required by law. When visiting DDS in person, a more efficient one-window-process provides customers with a “one-stop shopping” experience at most locations eliminating the need to visit multiple windows. If a transaction can not be completed once begun, data can be filed and stored until the required information is presented to complete the service. A customer may visit another location where the stored information may be quickly accessed. New state-of-the-art equipment will be installed including modern computer and photography equipment and printers that will be faster and more reliable. For more information, please visit www.dds.ga.gov. |
