The US state of Kentucky has introduced new driver licenses as part of a pilot programme that has started in McLean County.

MorphoTrust USA, which provides driver license issuance solutions for 41 states and the District of Columbia, is implementing the new workstations and camera systems, including new security features in the driver license.

“The new licenses are the manifestation of Kentucky’s efforts to improve the level of service provided to our customers, in addition to securing a credential Kentuckians use each day,” says Tom Zawacki, commissioner at Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) Department of Vehicle Regulation.

According to MorphoTrust security features are linked to each other on the card so that counterfeiters must compromise not one, but multiple technologies. This linked-and-layered approach means cards can be self-authenticating, with no need for cumbersome online lookups that require accessing personal information.

MorphoTrust says the licenses’ new features help protect against counterfeiting and simulation, alteration, photo substitution and other tampering. The changes also provide a longer-lasting, more durable card as well as enabling more reliable authentication at points of inspection.

New security features include:

·         A 10-year life, ExianDual TE tamper-resistant/evident card structure with bank-note level Guilloche (fine-line printing);

·         IDMarc Digital Watermark;

·         A hologram with a single colour, ultraviolet and ghost image;

·         Dual-side lamination.

Kentucky is also installing new computers, cameras, workstations, printers and disaster recovery and production services to speed processing and reduce potential down time. Starting in September, new licenses will feature veteran and organ donor designations.