Revised driving permit introduced in 2013
Starting from January 19, 2013, Austria switched to the uniform European Union (EU) driver's license format. Older licenses issued before this date needed to be exchanged for the new standardized EU license that complies with the uniform design and security requirements set by the European Union.
The redesign of the Austrian driver's license included several new security features aimed at reducing fraud. One of the notable changes was the introduction of a tactile, laser-engraved driver's license number. Additionally, microprinting was added to both the front and back of the new driver's licenses, printed text that can only be perceived with a loupe.
Another significant security feature is a transparent, optically variable security feature on the driver's license card. This feature, which takes the form of a miniature copy of the driver's license photo in the top right corner, is a kinegram. When the driver's license is tilted, the birthdate of the license holder appears on the photo in the secondary photo.
The design of the new driver's licenses also includes an additional "secondary photo" on the front, which is a kinegram. The EU-wide uniform features of the driver's license, such as the pink colour, driver's license photo on the left front, and the flag of the European Union above, remain unchanged.
The new design also accommodates the addition of new driver's license classes on the back and the inclusion of the word "driver's license" in 23 EU languages on the front. Interested parties can find information about the new driver's license security features and application process on www.fs-info.at.
It's worth noting that although the specific technical security features implemented in the Austrian license at that time are not detailed in the search results, it is known that these new licenses had to meet the EU-wide specifications which typically include advanced holograms, machine-readable zones, and other security measures to prevent counterfeiting and forgery.
In summary, the redesign of the Austrian driver's license in 2013 brought about several enhancements in security features, aligning with the EU standards to combat fraud.
The redesign of Austria's driver's license in 2013, along with the incorporation of European Union (EU) standards, expanded beyond the physical design to incorporate advanced security features. These features included microprinting, laser-engraved driver's license numbers, and a tactile kinegram, introducing elements from the finance, industry, and technology sectors to combat counterfeiting and forgery, ensuring compliance with the EU's stringent security measures.
