Virginia residents getting a new driver's license may notice a new design starting this year. The DMV recently announced that it's updating the look of the license, with a fresh design that includes the state's official insect.
The new driver's license design features a background of blue and green with the state seal in the center. A prominent image of a dogwood flower, Virginia's state flower, is also included. But what really sets the design apart is the inclusion of the Eastern Tiger Swallowtail butterfly, Virginia's state insect. The butterfly appears on the right-hand side of the license, next to the driver's photo.
According to the DMV, the new design is meant to improve the security features of Virginia driver's licenses and identification cards, making them harder to counterfeit. The design also incorporates new technology to prevent identity theft and fraud.
The DMV has been rolling out the new design gradually since January of this year, with all Virginia driver's licenses and identification cards expected to feature the updated look by the end of 2023. The agency has also said that existing licenses will remain valid until their expiration date, so there's no need for Virginia residents to rush out and replace their licenses right away.