Florida began issuing a new design for its driver's licenses and identification cards this Wednesday, a change that will gradually reach the pockets of millions of residents in the state.
But there is something important that Cubans residing in Florida should know: it is not necessary to renew a valid license just to obtain the new design. Current documents remain valid until their expiration date.
The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) began issuing the new credentials on September 30 at offices across the state. The previous design was no longer printed as of Tuesday.
What are the new licenses like?
The card features several symbols associated with Florida. On the front, the Castillo de San Marcos in St. Augustine is depicted, while an orange is incorporated into the word "Florida." You can also see a manatee and an alligator integrated into the REAL ID star.
The reverse pays tribute to the Space Coast with an image of the Discovery shuttle, which completed 39 missions before landing for the last time in Florida in 2011.
The changes are not just aesthetic. The FLHSMV assures that the new credential includes enhancements aimed at strengthening security and making counterfeiting more difficult.
The new format also includes a specific identification for certain Commercial Driver's Licenses (CDL) and Commercial Learner's Permits (CLP). In these cases, when it pertains to a temporary commercial credential for a person classified as non-domiciled, the document may display the indication "Temporary Non-Domiciled."
This registration should not be confused with a general mark for identifying foreigners or non-citizens on ordinary Florida licenses. It pertains to a category specifically associated with certain business credentials and the requirements applicable to their holders.
What's happening in Miami-Dade?
The Miami-Dade Tax Collector, Dariel Fernández, reported that his 13 offices and the TConnect mobile units are ready to issue the new credentials.
During the first few days, there may be slight delays due to the upgrade of the necessary equipment and systems to print them.
"The driver's license or identification card are very important documents for Floridians, and when the state makes a change to this credential, residents need to know exactly what to expect," Fernández noted.
Those who need to renew or replace their documents can now receive the new format when they complete the procedure in person.
And the immigration status in the licenses?
The redesign that will be released this Wednesday should not be confused with the changes approved this year by the Florida Legislature regarding citizenship in licenses and identification cards.
The current legislation states that, by no later than July 1, 2027, licenses or identifications issued to applicants listed in the system as United States citizens must include their citizenship status when it involves a new issuance, renewal, or replacement.
The regulation also states that a person who becomes a naturalized U.S. citizen will be able to obtain a free updated driver's license or identification if they timely report the change in status.
Therefore, the new design that Florida started to issue on September 30 does not, by itself, introduce a new visible identification of the holder's immigration status.
Dave Kerner, executive director of the FLHSMV, stated that the new format aims to enhance the security of one of the most commonly used identification documents in the state and to strengthen compliance with REAL ID standards.
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