Renewing driver's license changes to deter fraud

Coming soon -- a new way to renew driver's licenses.

By late summer or early fall, it will take 10 days to get a new driver's license, according to Dena Gray-Fisher, a spokeswoman with the Iowa Department of Transportation (IDOT).

Currently people can renew their driver's license and take it home the same day.

"The purpose of it is to prevent identity theft and fraud," Gray-Fisher said. "That's become a really national program."

For example, people are violating the law by going to several different driver's license registration stations and obtaining more than one license. They also apply for licenses using different names allowing them to have fraudulent licenses, Gray-Fisher said.

The driver's license renewal process has a new twist, but most of the process remains the same: take in the old driver's license and complete any required tests.

"When you leave, you take your driver's license. It will be punched with a hole," Gray-Fisher said. "They will give you a card with your picture and all the information that your driver's license has on it."

Then within 10 business days people will get a new driver's license in the mail.

The old driver's license with its hole and the card with a person's information on it will act the same as the new one for identification purposes or proof of age until the new one arrives.

Gray-Fisher said the program is called Central Issuance and will be effective across the state. She also noted that 22 other states will also enforce the new process.

The new renewal process is a security measure to protect people's identities and prevent fraudulent activity.

The new process will mean putting each person's completed driver's license through facial recognition software putting an end to those security problems, she said.

Waiting 10 days for a new driver's license is the only inconvenience for people as the new process does not cost them additional money, Gray-Fisher said.

Neither does the new process cost the county any money as all the equipment needed to make the cardboard cards and the new plastic licenses is provided by the IDOT, said Linda Dobson, Plymouth County treasurer.

"As of right now, anything we do down here, they (IDOT) pay for expenses," Dobson said.

Prior to starting the program, IDOT will be doing educational outreach to governmental agencies, the public and businesses to help avoid confusion, Gray-Fisher said.

"I think there's just been a mixed reaction," she said. "Once people get the information, we've had very good responses."

People do not have to rush out and get the new licenses.

"When it's time to renew, then you go in," Gray-Fisher said.