All Illinois Under 21 driver's licenses, identification cards, and commercial drivers licenses (DLs, IDs, and CDLs) that will be issued after January 1, 2005 will have a significantly changed layout on the card front. The actual text that appears on the card remains the same. The card back is unchanged.
Under 21 DLs, IDs, and CDLs will now be a vertical design with a blue pattern across much of the card on its front. The "Under 21 until MO/DAY/YR" and "Under 18 until MO/DAY/YR" text appears in red and yellow bars next to the photo and are more easily readable. The header bar above the photo will be blue and identify the card type (DL, ID or CDL). The DL/ID number, issue date and expiration dates will appear in a blue block beneath the signature. The date of birth appears beneath an image of the State Seal. The retro-reflective "Safer State with .08" optical variable device runs through side of the card lengthways, over part of the photo and signature and DL/ID number.
The Under 21 Temporary Visitor Driver's License (a new card issued as of 1/1/05 in accordance with Public Act 93-0752) will look like other under 21 cards but the background color will be green. The header bar above the photo will be green instead of blue and will include the text "Temporary Visitor Drivers License". The bar containing the text "Under 21 until MO/DAY/YEAR is green instead of red. The block containing DL number, issue date and expiration date is green instead of blue. The text "Not Valid for Identification" will appear in red above the name. The expiration date will indicate either 3 years from date of issuance or less if the authorized length of stay in the U.S. is less.
This overall under 21 card design change was not mandated by a new state or federal law. Current law in IVC 5/6-107.3 and 5/6-110 (e) already requires that cards issued to persons under age 21 be distinctive in nature. Since 2003, the law has required that the card indicate the dates the person becomes age 18 and 21.
This change is being made at this time to make the card more distinctive than it currently is, in order to make it far more difficult if not impossible to alter an existing under 21 card to make it look like a card issued to a person over 21. It is another step being taken by the Office to prevent underage drinking and to reduce DL/ID fraud.
This action targets what SOS Police have found to be the most common method used by underage drinkers trying to obtain fake ID. Penalties for making and using fake or unlawfully altered DLs or IDs are significant. Depending on the nature of the offense, it can be a Class A misdemeanor or a Class 4 felony.
View sample images of the redesigned driver's license.
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