Iowa Rolls Out New Driver's License

Last week the Iowa Department of Transportation launched a nearly two-month, statewide process involving the roll-out of the newly designed driver's license, instruction permit and identification card using updated American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators' specifications and enhanced security features.

The DOT's driver's license station in Cedar Rapids is serving as the pilot issuance office for the new cards. That office began issuing the new cards last Tuesday. Upon completion of the pilot, the DOT plans to phase in the new service starting with the DOT-managed stations and then the county treasurer offices that issue driver's licenses. The new cards should be available statewide by the first part of December.

Features of the new cards include:

• All driver's licenses, instruction permits and identification cards have a ghost image. The portrait has an issuing office number and the director's signature overlapping its edge.
  
  
• The two-dimensional barcode and magnetic stripe on the back contain all of the data from the front of the card.
  
  
• Laminate coating on the front and back increases the card's durability, security and tamper resistance. On the front there is an "optically variable" pattern that changes color when viewed at an angle
  
  
• When appropriate, text will appear on the front to indicate organ donor, hearing impaired or deaf, medical alert, or medical advance directive.

Previously issued driver's licenses, instruction permits and identification cards will remain valid until their expiration dates. Iowans wishing to obtain a duplicate card prior to the current card's expiration may do so and will be charged a $1 fee.