State Licenses and Identification Guide
Keeping up with driver’s licenses and identification cards across 50 states is a challenging task. We’ve built this helpful resource to help you understand what an out-of-state license should look like and what security features it has to help you spot fake IDs.
Alaska has several components to help secure its licenses and identification cards. Laser engraving on the date of birth and the signature raises this print off the card. The card is made out of a tamper-resistant polycarbonate body, which helps with durability and security. There is a ghost image of the cardholder in the bottom right of the license. There is an identity barcode printed on the back and optically variable ink that changes colors when tilted from left to right.
In 2023, Arizona Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Division released its latest security-enhanced license and ID cards. The new features of these cards include:
• Laser-engraved information and a black-and-white photo
• The card is produced from 100% polycarbonate material, consisting of multiple layers of plastic fused. This is said to be a tamper-proof design.
• Two high-resolution images appear when holding the card at an angle. This is referred to as Dynaprint, and helps fight duplication and reproduction.
• The Ponderosa pine tree and Saguaro cactus are images printed on the background of each side of the ID.
• These cards also come with a slightly raised surface that provides a quick authenticator.
Arkansas issued its current license format in 2018. Arkansas licenses and identification cards have several security features making them difficult to duplicate. They feature a ghost image beside the actual one of the cardholder and are covered with a security laminate that makes them more tamper-resistant. They have tactile information engraved and raised on the card and have a design that shows under UV light. They also have both the vertical (issued to those under 21) and horizontal (issued to those over 21) license formats.
Starting in 2019, the security measures on a Georgia driver's license include:
• The cards are made with durable, premium polycarbonate.
• The photos are now in black and white which are laser engraved and virtually tamper-resistant.
• The Georgia peach and an outline of the state are built into the design.
Iowa issued its current driver’s license format in May 2018 to support the REAL ID compliance effort. The security features of the Iowa driver’s license and identification cards include:
• Guilloche security design: A design of the state capitol building and state motto are included as the background design similar to the graphics you’d see on currency or passports.
• Laser-engraved ghost portrait: A duplicate of the card holder’s picture appears on the bottom left of the card. This portrait is smaller in size and more transparent. It also includes a black and white engraved ghost image.
• Laser-engraved tactile date of birth: The cardholder’s date of birth (DOB) is raised above the card surface allowing you to feel it for validity.
• 2-D barcode on the back: this barcode encompasses all data contained on the front of the card.
• Laser perforation: These are micro-perforations that etch out the Iowa state outline. These holes aren’t visible to the naked eye but appear when backlit from a light source.
• Tri-color optically variable images: These become visible when tilting the card.
The security measures on a Missouri driver's license include:
Front View
• A ghost portrait is in the bottom right-hand corner.
• Laser perforation of a Dogwood flower which overlaps the top of the ghost portrait.
• Guilloche security design that runs across the top of the ID
• Laser engraved date of birth in the bottom right-hand corner.
• UV features on the card front and back that glow green using a 365 nanometer UV light source.
Back View
• UV portrait and date of birth in the top left-hand corner
• Class and endorsement designations on the bottom left-hand corner
• A 1D and 2D bar code that run across the top.
In 2021, The Utah Department of Public Safety’s Drivers License Division began issuing new licenses and identification cards with additional fraud protection measures. The new format includes the following security measures:
• There is a laser ablation atop the driver’s photograph
• The cardholder’s date of birth is printed in red as well as laser engraved in a larger font.
• It employs a guilloche design using waves and patterns, printed in fine lines, which can’t be scanned or reproduced.
In 2020, Wyoming updated its licenses and identification cards to include 13 security features to help combat counterfeiting of IDs. The security features include:
• 1D and 2D Barcodes: Both are listed on the back of the license.
• Multiple Laser Image: It switches from a ghost image of the license holder to the date of birth once you tilt the license.
• Tactile Text: The cardholder’s signature, original date of issue, and date of birth are all printed in raised text on the license.
• UV Light: The state seal, decorated by circles and stars, and the capitol windows and fireworks can be seen under UV light. The individual should be centered in the frame and a true color representation of the cardholder
• Color Laser Shield: There is a full-color, laser-engraved photo
