New Hampshire News

DMV debuts new driver’s license design 

CONCORD, N.H. — New Hampshire driver’s licenses have a new look, with depictions of state icons and historic landmarks in addition to enhanced security features. 

This week, the New Hampshire Department of Safety’s Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) debuted a new variation of state-issued driver’s licenses and non-driver identification (ID) cards. Updated representations of the state flower, the purple lilac, as well as the Old Man of the Mountain are among the aesthetic revisions. 

New Hampshire driver’s licenses and non-driver ID cards were last redesigned in 2017. The updated cards have multiple counterfeit-resistant features and materials, as well as overt and covert security measures. 

“This update reflects our dedication to leveraging the latest technology to provide a safer, more efficient experience for everyone,” said New Hampshire DMV Director John C. Marasco. “I am grateful for the efforts of our team at the DMV to get to today’s rollout. We’re extremely excited to share this new design.” 

The new cards are also Real ID compliant, a federal identification requirement as of May 7, 2025, for anyone 18 or older to board an airplane for domestic flights or enter a secure federal facility. Following the enforcement deadline, federal agencies, including the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), will be prohibited from accepting driver’s licenses and identification cards that do not meet federal standards. 

As of this week, all new driver’s licenses and non-driver ID applicants will receive the updated design. Existing state-issued licenses and IDs remain valid until they expire, and current cardholders will receive the updated design upon renewal. 

In fiscal year 2024, the New Hampshire DMV produced and mailed approximately 350,000 driver credentials and non-driver credentials. All driver’s licenses and non-driver ID cards are printed by DMV employees at the division’s headquarters in Concord. Information about obtaining a New Hampshire driver’s license or non-driver ID card is available on the DMV website.