Montana Introduced New IDs

Beginning in December 2025, the Montana Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) introduced redesigned driver's licenses and ID cards to reduce fraud and identity theft.

With polycarbonate substrates, the cards feature Montana state landmarks, black-and-white laser-engraved images, multi-colour ink, colour-shifting elements, ultraviolet designs, and raised tactile features, making them difficult to replicate. The new credentials will include icons such as a REAL ID white star, a black eagle-in-flight US citizenship marker, and a black organ donor symbol.

Also included is Veridos CLIP ID, which combines laser engraving and colour printing to produce a lifelike image of the ID holder in true, vivid colour. According to estimates, 25 million CLIP IDs have been used over the last five years.

The news follows the Texas Department of Public Safety, which also began issuing driving licences and ID cards in August 2025. Similar to Montana, Texas IDs feature a black, laser-engraved star in the upper-right corner to indicate REAL ID compliance, which took effect on 7 May 2025. Under this requirement, individuals must present REAL ID-compliant documentation for domestic air travel and access to certain federal facilities.