FAQs Flawed Laminate

Q: How many drivers licenses and identification cards are affected?

A: PennDOT has determined that between 450,000 and 475,000 licenses and identification cards may
have been impacted. At issue are some licenses and identification cards issued from November 2014 to
February 25, 2015.
Q: What is the problem associated with the laminate?
A: One of the security features visible only under a black light embedded in the laminate covering the
drivers license or identification card was inverted. These security features are added to our products to
help mitigate fraud and prevent counterfeiting.
Q: How does this affect me?
A: Because of the inverted security feature, the license or identification card may not be accepted as
proof of identification when scanned by black light devices. This issue should not impact security checks
by the Transportation Security Administration at airports since TSA references a different security
feature on the license or identification card in its verification process. Your drivers license is still valid
and your driving privileges will not be affected by this.
Q: Does this mean my license or identification card is not secure, or that personal information has
been compromised in anyway?
A: No, this is simply a reversed security feature that is only visible under a black light.
Q: How can I tell if my license or identification card is defective?
A: By shining a black light on your license or identification card, you will see that the lettering on the
security features on the front of the license near the top is reversed, reading AP instead of PA. This
does not impact the validity of your drivers license or identification card on PennDOTs records.
Q: What do I need to do to get a new license or identification card?
A: PennDOT is reviewing its records to determine customers who may have received products with the
inverted security feature. Those customers will receive a corrected replacement drivers license or
identification card in the mail. You will simply need to destroy your old license once you receive the
replacement license.
Q. When does PennDOT expect to have the replacement products in the mail?
A: PennDOT is in the process of identifying individuals with the inverted security feature on their
drivers licenses or identification card and plans to begin mailing replacements to customers in early
March.
Q: Do I have to pay for a replacement?
A: No. Your replacement drivers license or identification card will be sent to you free of charge. Costs
associated with replacing the product will be covered by the vendor under contract to PennDOT.

Q: I have previously provided a temporary mailing address to PennDOT. Will my replacement product
be mailed to my temporary address or my residence address?
A: Your replacement drivers license or identification card will be mailed to your residence address.
Q: My drivers license is going to be suspended. When will I be issued my replacement product,
before or after my suspension?
A: If your drivers license is in a Pending Suspension status at the time PennDOT processes your
replacement product, you will be issued the replacement product. Please note that on the effective
date of your suspension, you are not legal to drive, even if you have your new replacement product. In
order to receive credit for serving your suspension, you will be required to submit the replacement
product to PennDOT immediately at:
ATTN: Richie Alridge
Restorations Unit
P O Box 68693
Harrisburg, PA 17106-8693
If your license is suspended at the time PennDOT attempts to process your replacement the license
will be held and issued to you when your driving privilege is restored.
Q: I just surrendered my drivers license to serve a license suspension, but I received a new product in
the mail. What should I do with it?
A: Your drivers license was in a Pending Suspension status at the time PennDOT processed your
replacement product. In order to begin credit for serving your license suspension, you must submit the
replacement product to PennDOT immediately at:
ATTN: Richie Alridge
Restorations Unit
P O Box 68693
Harrisburg, PA 17106-8693