Your Michigan Driver’s License is About to Get a Brand New Look

Your next Michigan driver's license will not only have a new and updated look, but it will also come with several updated security features.

Michigan Driver's Licenses Feature Cutting-Edge Technology

According to the Michigan Secretary of State, Michigan's new driver's licenses and state identification cards will have multiple layers of security. These include laser perforations, touchable indentations, engraved data, and other cutting-edge technology, making them among the most secure in the nation.

The new measures aim to reduce the risk of counterfeiting and fraud.

Say Goodbye to the Mackinac Bridge

While an image of the Mackinac Bridge has been a staple on Michigan licenses for decades, the new design nixes the bridge in favor of the Michigan Coat of Arms. The names of the five Great Lakes are also displayed with multicolored text when the license is seen from different angles. The font and color scheme have been updated and the shading and curved lines make the licenses more difficult to replicate.

The new design features a two-line name format to accommodate longer names. A white star inside a gold Michigan emblem will indicate that licenses and ID cards are REAL ID compliant.

Enhanced licenses and IDs will feature a waving American flag. The magnetic stripe on the back of the card has been removed and replaced with a scannable barcode.

New Under 21 Format

Michigan's new license and ID format

Cardholders who are under 21 will still be issued a card in vertical (portrait) format but the IDs will boast one significant change. Cards will no longer say "Under the age of ..." but will read "Under the age of 21 UNTIL ..." to aid retailers in determining if a customer is under the age of 21.

Your Current License is Still Valid

The new licenses and ID cards begin rolling out this month as residents renew, replace, or correct their current IDs. Your current license or state ID card is still valid until the expiration date displayed on the card.