Noticeable Changes Coming to Your Michigan Driver’s License

Next time you renew your Michigan driver's license, it's going to look a little different.

The state has decided on a new look for driver's licenses in Michigan in an effort to enhance security and make them even harder to fake.

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Driver License vs. Driver's License

First of all, can we just say thank you to the Michigan Secretary of State for calling it a "driver's license"? That's what we all call it anyway. (Check your current one. Had you ever realized it says Driver License?)

2-Line Name Format

Your updated Michigan driver's license puts your first and last names on two different lines instead of having them all together on one.

The state says this will allow for longer names to be fully displayed.

New Background Image

That image of the Mackinac Bridge in the background of your current license is going away.

It's being replaced with a Great Lakes tri-color security image.

Michigan's Coat of Arms

Michigan's coat of arms features prominently in the new driver's license design.

Real ID/Enhanced ID Display Changes

Current Michigan licenses and IDs that are Real ID-compliant feature a star in a gold circle in the upper right corner. The new version places the star inside a gold silhouette in the shape of Michigan.

RELATED: What's the Difference Between Real ID and Enhanced ID in Michigan?

Enhanced driver's licenses and IDs will feature a waving American flag near the lower left.

Other Changes to Michigan Driver's Licenses

According to the Secretary of State's office, there are several other changes to the new driver's license design that are less detectable by the naked eye.

Michigan’s new driver’s licenses and state IDs have multiple layers of security, including laser perforations, touchable indentations, engraved data and other cutting-edge technology, making them among the most secure in the nation.

Something that's going away is the magnetic stripe on the back of Michigan licenses. They will continue to feature scannable bar codes that contain all of the information on the front of the ID.

Is My Current Michigan License Still Valid?

If your current Michigan license isn't set to expire for a while, don't worry. It remains valid until its expiration date. When you renew or replace your license, the changes will take effect then and all valid features, designations, and endorsements on your current license or ID will transfer to the new one.