District of Columbia Awards Thales Contract for Secure Driver’s Licenses Designed to Thwart Fake ID Makers
Thales was recently awarded a new contract to provide the District of Columbia Department of Motor Vehicles (DC DMV) with secure driver licenses and identification (ID) cards that feature new, high-tech safeguards to make them extremely difficult to counterfeit.
The new DC driver licenses and ID cards will have high quality laser-engraved photos locked within a polycarbonate card body, and Thales will add new security features to better protect the personal data of District residents. Attesting to the District’s commitment to thwart counterfeit attempts and provide strong credential security for their citizens, they will be the first in the U.S. to include Dynaprint, a Thales proprietary high-resolution, fine-line printing technique generating superior quality security images, along with laser-engraved security images within the card body called Multiple Laser Images, or MLIs. Both of these security features are viewable as the card is tilted in different angles. These optically variable images are favoured by law enforcement and the TSA for being easy to recognize yet extremely difficult to replicate.
“Thales looks forward to our continued partnership with DC, leveraging our key strengths and technologies to bring innovative solutions to ensure the safety and security of DC residents’ credentials,” said Tony Lo Brutto, Vice President for the Thales Identity and Biometric Solutions in North America.
Thales will also upgrade its enrollment system for DC DMV to include advancements in photo, signature and image verification to streamline the driver’s license and ID card application process for a smoother customer experience.
“DC DMV is excited to partner once again with Thales for another seven-year contract term,” said Gabriel Robinson, Director of DC Department of Motor Vehicles (DC DMV). “Thales’ expertise with document security along with innovative features helps us continue Mayor Bowser’s mission to provide quality service to the residents of DC, while ensuring protection of their personal information and identities.”
By awarding Thales this second, seven-year contract, DC will continue to offer some of the most secure driver licenses and ID cards in the nation. The District is one of 12 jurisdictions in North America currently using premium, laser-engraved polycarbonate cards from Thales, which provide unparalleled security and durability for longer renewal cycles. Other jurisdictions that have made this transition to polycarbonate cards with Thales include Alaska, Colorado, Georgia, Maryland, Texas, Wyoming, and the Canadian provinces of New Brunswick, Newfoundland/Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Quebec.