As technology advances, fake IDs are becoming more sophisticated and harder to detect. However, there are still ways to spot a fake ID by state if you know what to look for. In this comprehensive guide, we will go over the characteristics of each state’s driver’s license and identification card to help you identify fake IDs with confidence.

Alabama:

– A genuine Alabama driver’s license will have a holographic overlay on the front of the card that shows the state seal and “ALABAMA” repeated in a pattern.
– The card should also feature a laser-perforated “AL” over the photo of the license holder.
– Look for a state motto “HEART OF DIXIE” printed on the back of the license.

Alaska:

– A valid Alaska ID will display a holographic overlay on the front of the card that shows the state seal and “ALASKA” repeated in a pattern.
– Check for a ghost image of the license holder on the front of the card.
– Look for a U.S. flag with a bear and the Big Dipper constellation on the back of the license.

Arizona:

– An authentic Arizona driver’s license will have a holographic overlay on the front of the card that shows the state seal and a saguaro cactus.
– Check for a ghost image of the license holder on the front of the card.
– Look for a state motto “DITAT DEUS” printed on the back of the license.

Arkansas:

– A genuine Arkansas driver’s license will have a holographic overlay on the front of the card that shows the state seal and the text “ARKANSAS DRIVER LICENSE” repeated in a pattern.
– Look for a laser-engraved state outline on the front of the card.
– Check for a state bird (Northern Mockingbird) and flower (Apple Blossom) on the back of the license.

California:

– An authentic California driver’s license will have a raised text of “CALIFORNIA” on the front of the card.
– Look for a ghost image of the license holder on the front of the card.
– Verify the card’s security features, such as microprinting, UV printing, and a magnetic stripe on the back.

Colorado:

– A valid Colorado ID will have a holographic overlay on the front of the card that shows the state seal and a snow-capped mountain.
– Check for a ghost image of the license holder on the front of the card.
– Look for a state motto “NIL SINE NUMINE” printed on the back of the license.

Connecticut:

– An authentic Connecticut driver’s license will have a raised state outline on the front of the card.
– Look for a holographic overlay on the front of the card that shows the state seal.
– Verify the card’s security features, such as a microprinted background and UV printing.

Delaware:

– A genuine Delaware driver’s license will have a holographic overlay on the front of the card that shows the state seal and the text “THE FIRST STATE” repeated in a pattern.
– Check for a ghost image of the license holder on the front of the card.
– Look for a state bird (Delaware Blue Hen) and flower (Peach Blossom) on the back of the license.

Florida:

– An authentic Florida driver’s license will have a holographic overlay on the front of the card that shows the state seal and “FLORIDA” repeated in a pattern.
– Look for a ghost image of the license holder on the front of the card.
– Verify the card’s security features, such as microprinting, UV printing, and a magnetic stripe on the back.

Georgia:

– A valid Georgia ID will have a holographic overlay on the front of the card that shows the state seal and Georgia on My Mind song lyrics.
– Check for a ghost image of the license holder on the front of the card.
– Look for a state bird (Brown Thrasher) and flower (Cherokee Rose) on the back of the license.

Hawaii:

– An authentic Hawaii driver’s license will have a holographic overlay on the front of the card that shows the state seal and a hibiscus flower.
– Verify the card’s security features, such as a shadow image of the license holder on the front of the card.
– Look for a state motto “UA MAU KE EA O KA AINA I KA PONO” printed on the back of the license.

Idaho:

– A genuine Idaho driver’s license will have a holographic overlay on the front of the card that shows the state seal and “IDAHO” repeated in a pattern.
– Look for a ghost image of the license holder on the front of the card.
– Verify the card’s security features, such as UV printing and an optically-variable ink hologram.

Illinois:

– An authentic Illinois driver’s license will have a holographic overlay on the front of the card that shows the state seal and “ILLINOIS” repeated in a pattern.
– Check for a laser-perforated state outline on the front of the card.
– Look for a state bird (Northern Cardinal) and flower (Violet) on the back of the license.

Indiana:

– A valid Indiana ID will have a holographic overlay on the front of the card that shows the state seal and “INDIANA” repeated in a pattern.
– Look for a ghost image of the license holder on the front of the card.
– Verify the card’s security features, such as microprinting, UV printing, and a laser-engraved state outline.

Iowa:

– An authentic Iowa driver’s license will have a holographic overlay on the front of the card that shows the state seal and “IOWA” repeated in a pattern.
– Check for a ghost image of the license holder on the front of the card.
– Look for a state bird (Eastern Goldfinch) and flower (Wild Rose) on the back of the license.

Kansas:

– A genuine Kansas driver’s license will have a holographic overlay on the front of the card that shows the state seal and a sunflower.
– Look for a ghost image of the license holder on the front of the card.
– Verify the card’s security features, such as UV printing and an optically-variable ink hologram.

Kentucky:

– An authentic Kentucky driver’s license will have a holographic overlay on the front of the card that shows the state seal and “KENTUCKY” repeated in a pattern.
– Check for a ghost image of the license holder on the front of the card.
– Look for a state motto “UNBRIDLED SPIRIT” printed on the back of the license.

Louisiana:

– A valid Louisiana ID will have a holographic overlay on the front of the card that shows the state seal and a pelican.
– Verify the card’s security features, such as a ghost image of the license holder on the front of the card.
– Look for a state motto “UNION, JUSTICE, CONFIDENCE” printed on the back of the license.

Maine:

– A genuine Maine driver’s license will have a holographic overlay on the front of the card that shows the state seal and a pine tree.
– Check for a ghost image of the license holder on the front of the card.
– Look for a state bird (Chickadee) and flower (White Pine Cone and Tassel) on the back of the license.

Maryland:

– An authentic Maryland driver’s license will have a holographic overlay on the front of the card that shows the state seal and “MARYLAND” repeated in a pattern.
– Verify the card’s security features, such as a ghost image of the license holder on the front of the card.
– Look for a state bird (Baltimore Oriole) and flower (Black-Eyed Susan) on the back of the license.

Massachusetts:

– A valid Massachusetts ID will have a holographic overlay on the front of the card that shows the state seal and a Massachusetts outline.
– Check for a ghost image of the license holder on the front of the card.
– Look for a state bird (Chickadee) and flower (Mayflower) on the back of the license.

Michigan:

– An authentic Michigan driver’s license will have a holographic overlay on the front of the card that shows the state seal and “MICHIGAN” repeated in a pattern.
– Look for a ghost image of the license holder on the front of the card.
– Verify the card’s security features, such as microprinting, UV printing, and an optically-variable ink hologram.

Minnesota:

– A genuine Minnesota driver’s license will have a holographic overlay on the front of the card that shows the state seal and “10,000 LAKES” repeated in a pattern.
– Check for a ghost image of the license holder on the front of the card.
– Look for a state flower (Lady Slipper) on the back of the license.

Mississippi:

– An authentic Mississippi driver’s license will have a holographic overlay on the front of the card that shows the state seal and “MISSISSIPPI” repeated in a pattern.
– Verify the card’s security features, such as a ghost image of the license holder on the front of the card.
– Look for a state bird (Mockingbird) and flower (Magnolia) on the back of the license.

Missouri:

– A valid Missouri ID will have a holographic overlay on the front of the card that shows the state seal and “MISSOURI” repeated in a pattern.
– Look for a laser-perforated state outline on the front of the card.
– Check for a state motto “UNITED WE STAND, DIVIDED WE FALL” printed on the back of the license