State fights identity theft with new licenses [Tallahassee,FL]

DEMOCRAT STAFF AND WIRE REPORTS

Florida's driver's licenses are getting an extreme makeover that will make them more difficult to be altered by identity thieves and underage drinkers.

The state Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles is scheduled to begin distributing the licenses in May, starting in Tallahassee, Osceola County and Miami, officials said Tuesday. The rollout will continue across the state through September. "People keep asking if it's a reaction to 9-11 - not really," said Robert Sanchez, a spokesman for the state agency. "We were holding focus groups (about changing the licenses) the summer prior. This is to combat the rising tide of identity theft and to make the license more secure against counterfeiting."

from The Tallahassee Democrat