In this section of the training, we will review all of the valid types of Pennsylvania IDs.
2019 REAL ID COMPLIANT CARDS
In March 2019, The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, referred to as PennDOT, began issuing driver’s licenses and photo identification cards compliant with federal REAL ID standards.
- A Pennsylvania REAL ID compliant driver’s license is identifiable by a gold circle with a transparent star inside it.
- A Pennsylvania driver’s license that is not REAL ID compliant must be clearly labeled with the words “NOT FOR REAL ID PURPOSES” but they are still valid forms of ID for the purchase of alcohol.
NOTE: This card design is no longer being issued but will remain valid until the expiration date listed on the card.
2022 REAL ID COMPLIANT CARDS
In September 2022, PennDOT updated the design of these cards to include new enhanced security features. The 2019 cards will remain valid until the current expiration date listed on the card but this design will be issued going forward. Both standard (not for real ID purposes) and REAL ID compliant products will use the new design and contain the following security features:
- 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 non-visible. The Ghost Portrait is located to the right of the main portrait. Although this cannot be seen on these examples, it can be seen when holding the card in your hand.
- Dynamic Look Through Element (DLTE), a dynamic feature with gold metallic tint that is visible under direct lighting. This is located around the bottom right portrait.
The types of cards, layout, font, and biographical information remain the same and we will discuss those in more detail on the following slides.
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