In a news release dated Sept. 12, Pennsylvania Department of Transportation announced that, as part of ongoing security enhancements, it will update the design and enhance the security features of driver’s licenses and identification card products.

“The update is an important component of PennDOT’s ongoing work to enhance and protect the integrity of the driver’s license and identification card issuance process,” PennDOT Secretary Yassmin Gramian said in the news release.

PennDOT is piloting the new products at the Summerdale Driver License Center in Enola as of Sept. 12.

All Pennsylvania Driver and Photo centers will transition to the new products by mid-November.

The new products will be phased in during the next four-year renewal cycle and will replace existing products. Both current and new card designs will be in circulation during the transition period.

Both standard and REAL ID-compliant products will use the new design and security features.

REAL ID is optional in Pennsylvania, and customers are able to opt into REAL ID.

Beginning May 3, 2023, Pennsylvanians will need a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license, photo ID card or another form of federally acceptable identification, such as a valid passport or military ID, to board a domestic commercial flight or enter a federal building or military installation that requires identification.

More information about REAL ID can be on the REAL ID page on the Driver and Vehicle Services website.

The new design cards will look different and have additional enhanced security features that improve fraud prevention and protect from counterfeiting and alteration.

Some of the enhanced features include:

• Guilloche Security Design: a feature that includes sophisticated techniques to embed a variety of customized security patterning into the credential, using noncommercial software developed specifically for high-security documents (bank notes, passports, ID cards, etc.)

• Optically Variable Ghost Portrait and Variable Data with UV: features that change their appearance when the viewing angle of the card changes, which moves them from fully visible to nonvisible. The card also includes a response that fluoresces under UV lighting. The UV response is fixed - visible under UV light regardless of viewing angle.

• Dynamic Look Through Element: a dynamic feature with gold metallic tint that is visible under direct lighting.

The new cards comply with American Association of Motor Vehicle Association 2020 specifications.

Customers may obtain a variety of driver and vehicle products and services, including all forms, publications and driver training manuals, online through on the Driver and Vehicle Services website.

Driver and vehicle online services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week and include driver’s license, photo ID and vehicle registration renewals; driver-history services; changes of address; driver’s license and vehicle registration restoration letters; ability to pay driver’s license or vehicle insurance restoration fee; driver’s license and photo ID duplicates; and driver exam scheduling.

There are no additional fees for using online services.