Secretary of State redesigns Michigan driver’s licenses, identification cards
Tom Greenwood, Detroit News staff writer
Starting today the Michigan Secretary of State will begin issuing newly designed driver's licenses and state identification cards.
According to Secretary of State Ruth Johnson, the new issues will cost the same as the old cards but will carry increased security features.
"It will look very different from the current driver's license and I.D. card," Johnson said. "The front will feature the Great Seal of Michigan that can only be seen under a black light.
"The front will have a photo of the driver and will also have a three color image of the Mackinac Bridge that appears and disappears depending on how you hold the card."
According to the Secretary of State office, the driver's photo and date of birth will be on the back of the card and will be viewable under a black light.
"The laser perforated letters 'MICH' will also be on the card and can be seen by holding it up to a light source," Johnson said.
License holders 21 and older only will receive the horizontal license while those younger than 21 will receive the vertical card, Johnson said.
The old cards will remain in circulation through 2015 until they are completely phased out. Graduated licenses for teenage drivers will remain in circulation through 2016.
The cost of the license will remain the same: $25 for a new license and $18 for renewal. The price of a state identification card will remain $10.
This is the first change to the Michigan driver's license/I.D. cards since 2003.
