Tennessee unveils new license design: What to know about the changes

Renewing or making a change to your Tennessee driver license soon? You might be one of the first to get a new design.

The Department of Safety and Homeland Security announced the new look Monday. The design will expand to all service centers over the next few months, according to a news release.

“The new Tennessee Driver Licenses incorporate the latest technology which makes them more difficult to counterfeit, alter, or duplicate,” Commissioner Jeff Long said in the release. “These countermeasures help prevent theft and fraud and help keep your identity safe.”

Here's what to know about the new ID's.

Do I need a new license?

If your license is not expired, and you don't need to make any address or name changes, you do not need to get a new license with the updated design, the department said.

"Driver Licenses and ID cards with the old design will be in use alongside the new cards," the release said. "Previously issued Driver Licenses are valid until the expiration date listed on the card."

What does the new design look like?

The beloved "Batman building", along with other key regional landmarks, will be no longer be on the new design.

The license will largely feature an in-color, rippling Tennessee state flag in the background with an image of the state capitol and the state's nickname "The Volunteer State" in blue letters centered at the top.

"The new design features waves and patterns printed in very fine lines that are not able to be scanned or easily reproduced," the release said.

Like the current design, a barcode, class, endorsements and restrictions will be printed on the back.

"The new credentials are made with a sturdy poly-carbonate composition, incorporate cutting edge security and printing techniques," the release said. "This includes elaborate overlapping of data and graphics and laser engraved elements that will show if the document has been altered or is fraudulent. A mini ghost image repeated from the photograph is encoded elements for automated validation to help reduce identity theft."

Which licenses will have the new design?

All licenses issued by the Tennessee Department of Safety a Homeland Security will have the new design.

This includes:

• Driver Licenses
• Real IDs
• Teen/Graduated Driver Licenses
• Commercial Driver Licenses
• Motorcycle Licenses
• ID only Licenses
• Handgun Carry Permits

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Tennessee unveils new license design: What to know about the changes