FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 22, 2005

CITY UNVEILS NEW DESIGN HAWAII DRIVER’S LICENSE

• The City began issuing the newly designed driver’s license on Friday, March 11, 2005.
  
• The new design meets the nationwide specifications adopted by the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators.
  
• The new design will provide protection from identification theft and the prevention of counterfeit copies.  Security features include some of the following:

o       The pink color used in the heading “Hawaii Driver License” and the green color signature are difficult colors to copy.

o       The green signature over the photo is difficult to counterfeit.

o       The picture of the state flag in the heading and the ghost image of the photo are difficult to duplicate.         

o       A different design will be issued to individuals under 21 and over 21 years of age. 

o       The under 21 permit and license have a vertical format; and instead of the rainbow design, the permit states “permit.”

o       The difference in designs will assist the liquor industry and local police to identify individuals under 21 years of age.

o       The reverse side of the license and permit have been changed by adding a two-dimensional barcode consisting of the data contained on the front of the license and explanation of the restriction, endorsement and class “codes” contained on the front of the license.                        

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