New IDs will be REAL ID-compliant for those who opt in

A new design for New Hampshire’s identification cards will be phased in over the next five years, officials announced Tuesday. Officials said that the phase-in process requires no additional action or cost for residents. “The five-year phase-in allows customers to wait until their regular renewal date to receive the new license,” Department of Motor Vehicles Director Elizabeth Bielecki said. The new driver’s licenses and non-driver identification cards include new security features not available during the last redesign for the cards in 2008, officials said. The design features a more colorful background and includes a profile of the Old Man of the Mountain, an outline of the state, and a purple lilac, the state’s official flower. The new ID cards will also be REAL ID-complaint for residents who choose to opt into the program. Beginning Oct. 1, 2020, identifications that meet federal REAL ID standards will need to be shown at airports and federal buildings. Residents who want REAL ID-compliant cards must choose to obtain one in person at a Department of Motor Vehicles location. Noncompliant, valid New Hampshire ID cards will be accepted at airports and federal buildings until Oct. 1, 2020. For more information on REAL ID, click here.

A new design for New Hampshire’s identification cards will be phased in over the next five years, officials announced Tuesday.

Officials said that the phase-in process requires no additional action or cost for residents.

Advertisement Related Content NH DMV announces additional change for redesign of driver’s licenses

“The five-year phase-in allows customers to wait until their regular renewal date to receive the new license,” Department of Motor Vehicles Director Elizabeth Bielecki said.

The new driver’s licenses and non-driver identification cards include new security features not available during the last redesign for the cards in 2008, officials said.

The design features a more colorful background and includes a profile of the Old Man of the Mountain, an outline of the state, and a purple lilac, the state’s official flower.

NH DMV

The new ID cards will also be REAL ID-complaint for residents who choose to opt into the program. Beginning Oct. 1, 2020, identifications that meet federal REAL ID standards will need to be shown at airports and federal buildings. Residents who want REAL ID-compliant cards must choose to obtain one in person at a Department of Motor Vehicles location.



Noncompliant, valid New Hampshire ID cards will be accepted at airports and federal buildings until Oct. 1, 2020.

For more information on REAL ID, click here.