Arizona partners with Thales to provide more secure Driver’s Licenses and ID Cards for residents

• With this new three-year contract, Arizona becomes the 18th jurisdiction in North America to have partnered with Thales for best in class driver’s license and ID solutions.
• The new driver's licenses and ID cards will be available starting in March of 2023 and will be compatible with the Arizona Travel ID requirements.
• Arizona issues over 1.9 million driver’s licenses or ID credentials annually, and joins an increasing number of jurisdictions in North America to switch to Thales’ 100% Polycarbonate cards – resulting in more durable and secure cards.

The Arizona Department of Transportation, Motor Vehicle Division (MVD), has awarded Thales a three-year contract to upgrade the security features and redesign the appearance of Arizona driver’s licenses and ID cards.

Arizona MVD and Thales will collaborate on card design elements that bring superior security and are very difficult for counterfeiters to replicate. ​ Namely Multiple Laser Image (MLI) with alternately visible data elements, and two unique Thales features, Dynaprint and Edge Sealer. Dynaprint uses multiple high-resolution images and fine line printing for an image flipping effect. While Edge Sealer laser-engraves specific data on the card’s edge to form an additional bond which is extremely difficult to reproduce.

Along with the new design, Arizona will join several other Thales partner jurisdictions in North America that have switched to cards made from 100% polycarbonate, a more durable material extending their usage lifecycle. Cards made of polycarbonate cannot be altered without visibly damaging the card, which is key to detect counterfeited documents.

“These next generation identity credentials provide Arizona residents, businesses and state officials with stronger security for driver’s licenses and ID cards, allowing for quicker validation,” said Tony Lo Brutto, Executive Vice President for Thales Identity and Biometric Solutions in North America. “Thales is pleased to partner with the Arizona MVD, leveraging our key strengths and expertise in reliable and secure ID solutions.”

Thales offers tailored solutions that help jurisdictions better serve their citizens. In addition, Thales has Central Issuance capabilities in North America to securely manage the citizens’ personal data when personalizing the drivers’ license.

“With ID fraud continuing to increase and become more sophisticated, we’re excited to partner with Thales to ensure our Arizona credentials become one of the most secure in the nation,” said Eric Jorgensen, Arizona Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Division Director. “We look forward to providing another innovative product for the Arizona communities where we serve and live.”

Thales is a renowned trusted provider of driver’s license and ID solutions in the U.S. Thales provides driver’s license and ID card solutions to the following 18 jurisdictions across North America: Alaska, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Maryland, New Brunswick, New Hampshire, New York, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, Texas, Washington D.C., Wyoming and now Arizona.

Providing cards with extended usage lifecycle to our clients is part of Thales’ commitment towards sustainability. ​ Thales also supports ​ sustainable projects worldwide by offsetting the carbon emissions from all its travel and ID solutions.