Driver license samples
New design
We began issuing newly-designed driver licenses and ID cards in July 2010. The new design was part of our efforts to protect Washington residents from identity theft, and prevent photo swapping, tampering, and other types of license fraud.
- If you have a license with the old design, it will be valid until it expires. You’ll get the new look when you renew or replace your license.
- The new design includes the following features:
- Ghost portrait (faint version of the photograph) at the bottom right of the card
- “WA USA” in the heading
- New layout of personal data, with printed data overlapping the ghost image
- Commercial Driver License (CDL) uses:
- “Commercial Drivers License” in the header
- “Class” to identify the type of CDL
- “U” restriction with “CDL Instrastate Only” for people under the age of 21 or with an Intrastate Medical Waiver.
Sample driver licenses
| Type of license | New design (Issued since July 2010) |
Old design (Valid until expiration) |
|---|---|---|
| Driver license for minors (Younger than 21) |  View larger image |
 View larger image |
| Driver license for adults 21 years and older) |
 View larger image |
 View larger image |
| Commercial driver license (CDL) |  View larger image |
 View larger image |
| Enhanced driver license (EDL) |  View larger image |
Not applicable. The EDL design hasn’t changed since we began issuing them. |
| Enhanced driver license for minors (Younger than 21) |  View larger image |
Not applicable. The EDL design hasn’t changed since we began issuing them. |
| Temporary driver license (Printed on paper. Same design as permanent license.) |
 View larger image |
Not applicable. Temporary driver licenses issued with the old design (before July 2010) have expired. |
