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PennDOT Adds New Security Feature to Driver’s Licenses

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It’s going to be harder to “fake” a Pennsylvania driver’s license.   The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation has become the first in the nation to adopt a new security feature on the licenses it issues.

The new feature employs a hologram that appears to switch between white and black as the image is moved 90 degrees.  It’s a higher resolution and PennDOT believes it will make it easier for police officers and people in the bar industry and banking to spot a fake driver’s license or ID.

Deputy Secretary Kurt Myers says the quality of fake IDs has grown rapidly. He says PennDOT believes strongly its important to add to the security features of its licenses to stay one step ahead of those who are attempting to commit fraud.

Jan McKnight, of PennDOT’s Safety Administration, says the new licenses are being phased in starting today. That means everyone getting a new photo taken for a license will now get the new security feature. While the new licenses will be issued as old ones are replaced on the normal four year cycle, McKnight says people can complete an application for change, correction or replacement of a noncommercial driver’s license on line  and get one sooner.

PennDOT Vehicle Registration Sticker

Transportation Commission Works Toward August Goal

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The Transportation Funding Advisory Commission, created by Governor Tom Corbett’s executive order, is on pace to submit recommendations by August 1st.  PennDOT spokesman Dennis Buterbaugh says the objective is to find another $2-billion to $2.5-billion dollars to annually inject into Pennsylvania’s transportation infrastructure.  That’s the majority of an annual $3-billion dollar transportation funding gap that was identified in a previous study.

So what is the commission discussing?  “It can be something as small as eliminating the annual registration sticker on your license plate.  That can save the Commonwealth some money.  Many states have taken that step,” Buterbaugh tells us.  Another simple step that may be recommended involves the drivers license renewal process.  “Currently the drivers license time is four years.  There’s been talk about possibly extending that, because there’s a cost savings to the Commonwealth,” Buterbaugh adds.

As far as big ticket items go, Buterbaugh confirms the commission did hear a presentation on the possible tolling of Route 422 in the southeast.  Tolling may or may not be a part of the recommended solution.  “But the Commission is not going to make any decision on any specific route”

A hike in the gas tax appears to be off-the-table.  “The gasoline tax is a little bit like chasing your tail,” PennDOT Secretary Barry Schoch recently said.  Schoch is also chairman of the governor’s commission.  Their next meeting is set for June 27th in Harrisburg.