PHOENIX – Coming soon to your wallet or handbag: a newly designed Arizona driver license – and a new process to get it.

Beginning June 16, the Arizona Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Division is expanding central credential issuance to all offices statewide, meaning that customers visiting a Motor Vehicle Division office to obtain a new driver license or identification card will leave with a temporary credential. The permanent license or identification card will be mailed to the customer, and received within 15 days.

Coupled with that, ADOT is launching a new, high-security credential format. Both changes are designed to protect against identity theft.

“As part of the new central credential issuance process, a redesigned driver license and identification card is being introduced,” said Stacey Stanton, director of ADOT’s Motor Vehicle Division. “The redesigned credential contains enhanced security features to safeguard personal information and help prevent identity theft. The complexity of the new credential, and the security features and processes in place, don’t make it feasible to produce the permanent credential in offices for same-day issuance.”

Even with the new license design, there is no need to rush out to an office. A current driver license or identification card will still be valid until its expiration date – or at least until the 12-year mark when the photo needs to be refreshed. The price of a duplicate credential remains unchanged at $12 for many customers.

Customers at ADOT Motor Vehicle Division offices will no longer immediately be issued a new permanent driver license or identification card at the end of the application process. The credential will instead be mailed to the address on the resident’s application. It is important to ensure the correct mailing address has been provided in order to receive the credential.

“With the new central issuance process it is critical that customers keep their address updated with MVD,” Stanton said. State law requires that residents notify the Motor Vehicle Division of an address change within 10 days, although the purchase of a new credential isn’t required. Address changes can be made online at ServiceArizona.com.

This process has already been in place in 14 of ADOT’s offices in communities in Greater Arizona and in the Authorized Third Party offices that process driver licenses. This change will expand it to all offices statewide.

The temporary driver license or identification card will contain a photo and the basic information that appears on the actual credential. As in other states that have moved to this process, the decision to accept the temporary credential as proof of identity exists solely with the organization requesting to see the license or identification card.

The process of central credential issuance is used by most states around the country and is a growing trend as states transition to higher-security credentials.

For at least 12 years, there will be more than one valid Arizona credential format.

Security features of this new credential include:

• A larger primary portrait with a smaller redundant ghost portrait ensuring customer appearance is clearly reflected.
• A high-security design comprised of unique Arizona geological features in the background created by using many different patterns, lines and images. This provides the overall look of the credential.
• A laser perforation in the shape of Arizona, which when held up to the light is used to quickly authenticate the credential.
• Tactile date of birth field to assist in authenticating the credential using the sense of touch. The date in this field will have a raised feel to it.
• Tri-color Optically Variable Device consisting of the state outline, the state name “Arizona,” the state seal, a saguaro cactus and a star. This laminate overlay provides the final layer of the credential and provides one more feature for authentication.
• The ringtail, the state mammal, illustrated on the front of the new credential.

PHOENIX – In an effort to curb misuse, the Arizona Department of Transportation has introduced redesigned, bright blue license plates for usage by licensed vehicle dealers and manufacturers on current for-sale vehicle inventory. The redesigned plates hit the street April 28.

With the introduction of the redesigned plates, the previously issued dealer plates – which resembled standard Arizona desert scene license plates with a number series generally starting with “DL” – are no longer valid. All dealers in the state have been mailed the redesigned, solid blue plates with white lettering that show “Vehicle Dealer” on the bottom.

As another major change, the redesigned dealer plates will also be issued validation tabs and registrations that are valid for one year. Previously, dealer plates were issued with permanent validation tabs and registrations.

The redesigned dealer license plate is being implemented in accordance with House Bill 2372 passed during the 2013 Arizona legislative session. The change in state law now allows ADOT to more effectively manage the issuance of the vehicle dealer plate based on a process tied to vehicle sales and the type of dealership to further enhance the administration of the program.

“The Arizona Automobile Dealers Association was pleased to work with ADOT in distributing the new dealer plates,” said AADA President Bobbi Sparrow. “We’re hopeful this and other changes in dealer plate regulations will help prevent misuse of the plates. The actions of a few can negatively impact Arizona’s dealer industry as a whole and we appreciate the management of the dealer plate program by the ADOT Motor Vehicle Division.”

If someone observes what is believed to be the improper use of a dealer license plate, they may call 602.712.6270 or report the information online at azdot.gov/contact-adot.

For any questions about the ADOT Motor Vehicle Division, please visit azdot.gov/mvd.

PHOENIX – Arizona residents will soon have more options for obtaining a driver license or identification card. The Arizona Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Division is increasing the number of Authorized Third Party providers able to process driver license transactions.

Four existing businesses are scheduled to expand their operations by mid-June. Beginning April 28, Third Party MVS Services, Inc., located in Mesa, will offer driver license services. Other businesses set to add driver license services are Montes Multiple Services LLC, located in Yuma, on May 12; GG & D Financial & Check Cashing LLC, at their west Phoenix location, on May 27; and Ginger’s Title & Auto, located in Sierra Vista, on June 9. Additional Authorized Third Party businesses are expected to offer driver license services during the remainder of 2014 and beyond.

The Authorized Third Party businesses will be able to complete identification card and all phases of driver license application processing for Class D and G operator licenses, including conducting the knowledge and road skills examinations.

Authorized Third Party service providers have been successfully processing primarily title and registration transactions for more than 20 years with a limited few also conducting driver license services. As Arizona continues to grow, the expansion in the driver license program will give customers more options in carrying out this important transaction. The growth in the program was made possible by the passing of House Bill 2183 in the 2013 Arizona legislative session. This expansion means seven Authorized Third Party offices around the state now offer driver license services.

“Authorized Third Party businesses are private companies that contract with ADOT to conduct motor vehicle services, providing customers with options and expanded service opportunities. The program has grown over the years and there are now 147 locations statewide,” said Stacey Stanton, director of ADOT’s Motor Vehicle Division. “ADOT oversees the businesses to ensure that stringent operational requirements are being followed and the Motor Vehicle Division provides Authorized Third Party employees with extensive training to assure proficiency is demonstrated by the businesses. Customers can feel confident using Authorized Third Party offices.”

Prior to the current program expansion, there were three Authorized Third Party offices that processed driver licenses: Academy of Driving Motor Vehicle Center, located in Tucson; Western Motor Vehicle, located in Phoenix; and MVP (Motor Vehicle Processing), located in Willcox.

In order to qualify to provide driver license processing, an Authorized Third Party must meet the requirements specified in Arizona law.

“GG & D Financial is looking forward to continuing its partnership with the Arizona Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Division to offer this expanded service,” said Director of Operations Ron Neagle. “We believe that both new and existing customers will greatly appreciate the convenience of driver license services being available at the same locations as the existing title and registration services.”

PHOENIX – As the April 15 tax deadline approaches, people doing last-minute work on their tax returns may want to know the amount of vehicle license tax they paid on their vehicle. The Arizona Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Division offers a free online tool called Vehicle Fee Recap on the official MVD transaction services website, ServiceArizona.com, to help vehicle owners easily obtain both the vehicle registration fees and vehicle license tax paid in 2013.

From the home page of ServiceArizona.com, the Vehicle Fee Recap process starts with the customer entering their name, Arizona driver license or customer identification number and date of birth into a secure form. The result is a one-page, printable report that lists the total registration fees and vehicle license tax fees paid for each vehicle on file under the owner of record. The Vehicle Fee Recap report will only contain a listing of registered vehicle information for which a vehicle license tax was paid. In addition, the reports will only contain information for the previous calendar year.

Owners of Arizona-registered vehicles who wish to use the data provided in the Vehicle Fee Recap report should refer to guidance from the Internal Revenue Service or the Arizona Department of Revenue.

“Vehicle Fee Recap is one of ServiceArizona’s most popular features during tax season,” said ADOT Motor Vehicle Division Director Stacey K. Stanton. “Every customer’s time is valuable. Vehicle Fee Recap is yet another way the MVD utilizes technology to save time for our customers.”

The Vehicle Fee Recap feature of ServiceArizona.com is also accessible by mobile devices.

Information on ServiceArizona.com is transmitted securely using encryption technology and the site does not collect or share user data for marketing purposes.

Information about all the services offered by the MVD can be found at azdot.gov/mvd.

PHOENIX – Beginning on Monday, Feb. 24, MVD customers in southern Navajo and western Apache counties will conduct their driver license and vehicle title/registration transactions at a new and improved Show Low office. The Motor Vehicle Division of the Arizona Department of Transportation will open the new office at 161 E. Deuce of Clubs (US 60), Suite B4 in Show Low, within the Show Low Plaza, just east of N. Central Avenue.

In preparation for the move, the current Show Low MVD location will be closed from Wednesday, Feb. 19 through Friday, Feb. 21. The office closure will allow agency personnel to prepare the new facility in a timely manner to resume normal business on Monday, Feb. 24 at 8 a.m.

During this temporary office closure, ADOT reminds customers that many of the common MVD transactions can be conducted online at servicearizona.com.

The new Show Low MVD office will feature several customer service improvements, such as a larger parking area to accommodate oversize vehicles requiring inspection. The interior offers a spacious and comfortable waiting area, additional work stations to efficiently serve customers and a conference room to allow for administrative hearing video conferencing.

The Show Low office serves MVD customers in the Heber-Overgaard, Pinetop-Lakeside, Fort Apache Tribal Nation, Taylor, Snowflake and Pinedale communities.

The new office is an example of how the Motor Vehicle Division continuously strives to provide high-quality customer service for a wide range of driver license, commercial driver license and motor vehicle title/registration services.

A map of the new Show Low MVD office location is at http://goo.gl/maps/pbRuz.

For more information, please visit azdot.gov/mvd.

PHOENIX — Most of us will probably need some type of driver license, identification card or vehicle registration services at one time or another. Today many of those services can be performed online. Unfortunately, Internet resources are being used by scam artists misrepresenting themselves as official motor vehicle division entities with the primary goal of taking a customer’s money and obtaining their personal identification.

The Motor Vehicle Division of the Arizona Department of Transportation is alerting customers that there are various websites conducting numerous fraudulent schemes by falsely advertising motor vehicle services for Arizona driver licenses, IDs, vehicle titles or registrations. The fraudulent websites appear in a search with keywords such as MVD or DMV.

The website scams illegally obtain credit card numbers and charge credit card accounts for unauthorized, bogus services and for services that will not be conducted. The captured credit card information may also be used for future fraudulent purchases and charges.

Additionally, consumers should be wary of phone solicitations. ADOT MVD does not conduct phone solicitations for driver license or title/registration services. Customers should protect their personal information when receiving phone calls from an entity fraudulently representing itself as MVD, ADOT or DMV to sell any type of service or product.

In fact, ADOT MVD does not perform any commercial advertising for the services it provides and does not collect personal information from its customers for the purpose of solicitation. ADOT’s goal is to prevent its customers from becoming victims of fraud and identity theft.

There are numerous legitimate businesses that offer motor vehicle support services such as practice tests or tips for completing the driver license application process. ADOT MVD has authorized third-party offices which are private businesses licensed and authorized to perform MVD transactions.

In Arizona, ServiceArizona.com is the only valid, authorized website for all MVD transactions. MVD customers can use ServiceArizona.com to research information or conduct transactions such as apply for a duplicate driver license and driver license reinstatement, perform registration renewals, purchase specialty/personalized license plates, update personal contact information, obtain a copy of a driver license or vehicle record, obtain a vehicle fee recap, register to vote, or check a vehicle identification number (VIN) for liens or other record alerts before purchasing a used car.

Arizona does not allow the issuance or renewal of a driver license via the Internet. An applicant must visit a local MVD or authorized third-party office.

The following are the only authorized ways to conduct Arizona driver license or vehicle title/registration transactions:

• In person at any ADOT MVD office
• Online through servicearizona.com
• In person at an authorized third-party office
• By standard mail to ADOT MVD

For further information about ADOT MVD services, please visit: azdot.gov/mvd.