New Jersey officials can tell you all about why they're introducing a new digital driver's license with enhanced security features.
But what's changed? Well, that's a secret.
State officials plan to announce the switch on Wednesday. The new licenses have been tried out over the past few months, but starting Wednesday, everyone who gets a license will get one.
State Attorney General Paula Dow said there are some 25 “overt and covert” changes to the digital licenses first introduced in the state seven years ago to make them more secure. That means drivers probably won't notice the difference between their current license and their next one.
Some details will be visible with the naked eye, some with magnifying glasses and some will require a black light. State Motor Vehicle Commission Chief Administrator Raymond Martinez said changes could include differences in the background printing and intentional typos on the licenses -- but don't worry, names won't be affected.
And, he said, they'll eventually be able to be used by facial recognition software.
Dow said law enforcement officials and others who need to know will be trained to recognize the changes -- and to spot fraud.
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The idea, both officials said, is to cut down on counterfeits that could be used by terrorists trying to get on planes, thieves seeking to steal information to commit financial crimes or minors who want to buy alcohol.
State Homeland Security Director Charles McKenna said the changes are important because licenses are such widely accepted identification.
With the changes, New Jersey is among the first wave of states to adopt the so-called enhanced digital licenses.
McKenna said it won't be the last change.
“What we've got here is a situation is that generationally, these documents are going to evolve,” he said. “Counterfeiters are going to be able to catch up.”
He said there are persuasive fake versions of current digital licenses available now.
