Existing driver’s licenses and ID cards remain valid until they expire
On Sept. 30, the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) began issuing a newly designed Florida driver’s license and identification card “featuring elements of Florida’s history,” the agency announced.
The updated credential is available at service centers statewide and will be available for online orders through MyDMVPortal.flhsmv.gov by early November, FLHSMV notes in a news release.
Florida residents are not required to replace their existing driver’s licenses or identification cards, the release does point out. “All currently valid credentials will remain valid until they expire and will be phased out over time,” the release explains.
“The new credential continues to provide Floridians with one of the most secure over-the-counter identification options available today,” the release says. “In addition to its updated design,” the release points out, “the credential incorporates an image of the state seal as an enhanced security feature and includes the ‘Temporary Non-Domiciled’ marking” for commercial driver licenses and commercial learner’s permits.
“Florida continues to set the standard for secure credentialing,” said FLHSMV Executive Director Dave Kerner in the release. “Our last major redesign introduced high‑security features that nearly doubled the fraud protection measures, significantly strengthening the integrity of Florida’s credentials,” he added. “Since then, we’ve enhanced our credentialing practices to anticipate emerging fraud trends and strengthen identity verification across agencies. This latest redesign further solidifies Florida’s leadership in secure identification technology and REAL ID compliance,” Kerner pointed out in the release.
“The new design showcases Castillo de San Marcos as the background image on the front of the card,” the release continues. “Located in St. Augustine, Castillo de San Marcos is the oldest masonry fortress in the continental United States,” the release explains.
“Florida’s iconic orange is incorporated as the ‘O’ in ‘Florida,’ while the bottom left corner features the Florida manatee, one of the state’s most recognizable native species,” the release notes. “The Florida alligator is also incorporated into the REAL ID star in the top right-hand corner of each card,” it adds.
“The back of the card pays tribute to Florida’s Space Coast with an image of Space Shuttle Discovery, which flew 39 missions and spent 365 days in space before making its final landing in Florida on March 9, 2011,” the release further notes. “The card also features the motto ‘Let Us Alone’ from Florida’s first unofficial state flag,” which was presented to Gov. William D. Moseley upon his inauguration,” it adds.