Texas has introduced a redesigned driver’s license and state ID card, featuring advanced materials and enhanced security features. The updated cards, issued from 18 August 2025, aim to make counterfeiting significantly harder and protect residents from identity fraud.
According to the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), the changes are part of a broader effort to align state-issued identification with national standards. These updates follow similar moves by other states that have adopted more secure ID formats in recent years.
Polycarbonate Design Introduces Next-Generation Security
The key change in the new Texas driver’s licenses lies in their material composition. According to DPS, the cards are now manufactured using polycarbonate, a rigid, translucent material that is resistant to tampering and meets the technical standards of the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators (AAMVA). Polycarbonate cards are laser engraved, which not only increases durability but also makes them difficult to replicate.
This transition places Texas among a growing number of states using polycarbonate for government-issued identification. Alaska was the first state to issue translucent polycarbonate licenses in 2024. Other states such as New York, Maryland and Colorado have also introduced similar formats, employing features like UV ink, laser engravings and holograms.
Visible design changes on the new Texas license include a reorganization of the layout for improved readability and verification. A black, laser-engraved star now replaces the former gold star used to indicate REAL ID compliance. This marking confirms that the license can be used for federal identification purposes, such as boarding domestic flights or entering federal facilities.
Identity Protection and Enforcement Campaign Coincide
Alongside the release of the new license design, Texas officials are also focusing on public safety enforcement. The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), in partnership with local law enforcement, is conducting an impaired-driving enforcement initiative across East Texas. Known as STEP IDM, the campaign runs through 1 September and includes heightened patrols aimed at reducing drunk driving incidents during the Labour Day weekend.
According to KLTV News, there were 327 alcohol-related DUI crashes during last year’s Labour Day weekend in Texas, resulting in 10 fatalities. The timing of the new ID rollout coinciding with increased enforcement reflects a wider strategy by state authorities to enhance public safety on multiple fronts.
“The way driver’s licenses are made can make a big difference in terms of public safety,” said Sheri Gipson, Division Chief of the DPS Driver’s License Division, in the department’s official statement. Texas residents holding current licenses are not required to update them immediately. According to DPS, existing cards will remain valid until their printed expiration date.
