Driver licenses undergo security upgrade

CONCORD, N.H. (AP) - New Hampshire driver licenses have gotten a security upgrade.

The Division of Motor Vehicles has changed the way a driver license number is assigned.

The new number - called a credential identifier - has three letters and eight randomly assigned digits, for a total of 11 characters. That’s a change from the current 10-digit driver license numbers that were based on a person’s name and birth date.

The change impacts all New Hampshire driver licenses issued on or after Oct. 11. Current licenses will remain valid until their scheduled renewal.

DMV Director Elizabeth Bielecki said the agency is pleased to provide the additional layer of privacy and security for its customers.