Texas DPS unveils a redesigned, more secure driver’s license and state ID
The Texas Department of Public Safety is rolling out a new look for its driver’s licenses and state ID cards, with enhanced security features to make counterfeit cards harder to produce. Beginning Monday, Aug. 18, any newly issued licenses and identification cards will feature the updated design.
The new cards are made from tamper-resistant polycarbonate and meet standards set by the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators, making alteration or replication more difficult. The REAL ID indicator has shifted from a gold star to a black, laser-engraved star in the upper right corner, signaling compliance.
DPS officials also said the design reorganizes personal information to be clearer and easier to verify. The card’s aesthetic includes a multicolored background with red, white, and blue elements from the state flag layered behind a gold state seal. A blue outline of Texas appears at the bottom right, with a second, smaller photograph of the license holder tucked inside. A row of gold-colored running horses stretches along the bottom from left to center.
“The way driver licenses are made can make a big difference in terms of public safety,” said Sheri Gipson, DPS Driver License Division Chief. “This new card design will make it even more difficult for criminals to produce counterfeit cards, and it enhances ways we can protect Texans’ identities from being stolen.”
Existing licenses and IDs will remain valid until their expiration dates.
What this means for residents
– If you renew or apply for a license after Aug. 18, you’ll receive the new design.
– Current cards stay valid until they expire, so there’s no immediate need to replace them unless you renew.
In addition to boosting security, the new design reflects a modernization effort to streamline identification and verification processes, contributing to safer identity management for Texans. The update offers a hopeful step forward in reducing counterfeit IDs and protecting personal information.