New York to Begin Issuing New Secure Driver Licenses This Thursday

New York Gov. George E. Pataki last week unveiled a new design of New York's driver license that will help prevent fraud and license tampering by incorporating a series of new security enhancements that make the documents virtually impossible to tamper with or duplicate.



The most prominent new feature of the license is the use of an "optical variable device" (OVD) embedded within the laminate to prevent forgery. The wavy line, a feature unique to New York State, appears to float above the surface of the license. New York is among the first states in the nation to feature this technology.

The new licenses will be distributed by the Department of Motor Vehicles on an accelerated schedule to those 25 years of age and under as part of a special new anti-underage drinking initiative known as "Operation Prevent."

"Ensuring the security and integrity of New York's driver license is an essential part of our continuing effort to maintain the highest standards in highway and traffic safety in the nation," Pataki said. "The state-of-the-art features included in the redesigned license will greatly improve the ability of law enforcement to keep motorists safe, but also help combat the serious problem of underage drinking that often results in tragic consequences. Just as important, these anti-fraud measures will significantly thwart the ability of those who seek to use fraudulent identification to foster terrorism, break the law and cause harm."

Onondaga County District Attorney William J. Fitzpatrick said, "I applaud the governor and Commissioner Martinez on using the latest technology to reduce underage drinking. Operation Prevent has been successfully utilized throughout Onondaga County via local law enforcement, the District Attorney's office, and the Onondaga County STOP DWI Program to assist in the continuing efforts to prevent underage persons from obtaining alcohol."

Westchester County District Attorney Jeanine Pirro said, "Forged licenses have been a pervasive law enforcement and security problem. This new license will help drive fraudulent document mills out of business. In the process we will combat terrorism, protect our identities, and keep alcohol out of the hands of minors."

In addition to the new floating wave, the document contains a backup layer of protection in the laminate that will reveal any cut lines or spots caused by alterations when viewed using a low-cost handheld document verifier or when viewed under ultra-violet black light. To further combat underage drinking, all documents issued to individuals under the age of 21 also have "under 21" markings printed in red ink on the face of the document.

The new design incorporates the most advanced document security specifications, including printing techniques that are used to prevent the counterfeiting of currency. Additional anti-fraud measures include:

• Prismatic or "rainbow" printing that makes the colors difficult to reproduce
• Duplex patterns within the design and fine line structures that cannot be photocopied
• Application of inks that are not used commercially including certain images that fluoresce under ultraviolet light
• Covering the photograph and data on the license with a laminate with an optical variable device that cannot be removed and enables ready detection of tampering
• A two-dimensional barcode on the back of the document that verifies information contained on the front of the document
• "Under 21" markings for documents issued to anyone under the age of 21. Printed in red ink are the date of birth, client identification number, and the words "Under 21," which appear beside the photo
• The New York State Coat of Arms in ultra-violet sensitive ink, visible only under ultra-violet black light, which shows a break if the document is altered.

NYS Department of Motor Vehicles Commissioner Raymond P. Martinez said, "New York has one of the most rigorous