FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 17, 2001
Contact: SID GAULDEN, (803) 896-8755

SOUTH CAROLINA DRIVER’S LICENSE TO GET NEW LOOK

COLUMBIA, SC – The South Carolina Department of Public Safety announced today that customers and law enforcement may notice a few changes to the look of the South Carolina driver’s license as new driver’s license equipment begins making its way into DMV offices around the state in the next several months. The new driver’s license will be phased in over the next five years as people renew their license or get a replacement.

"There were many enhancements and security features added to our current driver’s license in 1998 that made it more difficult to duplicate or falsify," said DPS Director B. Boykin Rose. "The new driver’s license equipment that is being installed around the state will allow us to enhance the safety features even more."

The changes in the new license will likely be more noticeable to law enforcement, retailers and merchants than customers. The new license will be similar in appearance to the old one with some enhancements. "Department of Public Safety" has been added under "South Carolina" on the front, top of the license. The Division of Motor Vehicles address has been added on the back. The holograms have been revised to show the outline of South Carolina across the top portion of the license and the DPS seal across the bottom of the license. A two-dimensional bar code is also included on the back of the license. These new features make it more difficult to duplicate or counterfeit the license and will allow for enhancements in the future.

The new license doesn’t affect the expiration dates on current driver’s licenses issued in the state. Customers won’t need to replace their old licenses until it’s time to renew them. The $12.50 fee for the driver’s license and the $3 license replacement fee will remain the same.

The new equipment installations are part of a statewide DMV project designed to upgrade the division’s technology, business processes and organizational practices. Information about the new license and equipment installations in DMV offices is available through the DPS web site at www.scdps.org

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BP/SI/54/01

Click here to see the new driver's license

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