Say Goodbye To Old Texas IDs Starting August 18

The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) is officially rolling out a new design for driver's licenses and identification cards starting August 18, which aims to rejuvenate the look of Texas IDs while making the public safer through enhancements in security.

Security at the Center of It All

According to DPS Driver License Division Chief Sheri Gipson, the method of making licenses greatly impacts public safety. "The new card design will make it even harder for criminals to create counterfeit cards and it improves ways we can prevent Texans from identity theft," said Gipson.

The new cards are made of tamper resistant polycarbonate material, which is a more difficult material to imitate. The new card also complies with the design guidance from the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators (AAMVA) and meets the federal requirements.

A New Star on Your ID

One of the most notable changes that drivers will see is the star in the upper right corner. Instead of a gold star the new cards will have a black laser engraved star. The star signifies compliance for REAL ID, which is required for certain federal purposes, such as boarding domestic flights or entering secure federal buildings.

Clearer Layout for Better Information

In addition to a stronger material and new marking, the new IDs also change the layout of the personal information. DPS says the new layout makes information easier to read and verify quickly, meaning a faster checkout experience for businesses that use the ID as proof of age or identification and a more efficient for law enforcement.

Texans do not need to rush out to replace their old IDs, because DPS has stated that all previously issued driver licenses and identification cards will remain valid through the expiration date.