The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles has begun issuing newlydesigned Florida driver license and identification card featuring elements of Florida’s history.
Florida launches new Driver License and Identification Card program
The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles has begun issuing newly-designed Florida driver license and identification card featuring elements of Florida’s history.
You’ll notice whenever you renew yours—you don’t have to do anything with your current valid license or card. The updated credential is now available at in-person service centers and will be available for online orders through the MyDMVPortal.flhsmv.gov by early November.
The new look incorporates an image of the state seal as an enhanced security feature and includes the “Temporary Non-Domiciled” marking for Commercial Driver Licenses and Commercial Learner’s Permits.
“Florida continues to set the standard for secure credentialing. Our last major redesign introduced highsecurity features that nearly doubled the fraud protection measures, significantly strengthening the integrity of Florida’s credentials,” said FLHSMV Executive Director Dave Kerner. “Since then, we’ve enhanced our credentialing practices to anticipate emerging fraud trends and strengthen identity verification across agencies. This latest redesign further solidifies Florida’s leadership in secure identification technology and REAL ID compliance.”
The new design showcases the historic Castillo de San Marcos in St. Augustine as the background image on the front of the card. Florida’s iconic orange is incorporated as the “O” in “Florida,” while the bottom left corner features the Florida manatee, and the Florida alligator is also incorporated into the REAL ID star in the top right-hand corner of each card.
The back of the card pays tribute to Florida’s Space Coast with an image of Space Shuttle Discovery. The card also features the motto “Let Us Alone” from Florida’s first unofficial state flag, which was presented to Governor William D. Moseley upon his inauguration.
Park Place reports potential data breach
Park Place Behavioral Healthcare in Kissimmee is providing notice of a data security incident that may have resulted in unauthorized access to some individuals’ personal information.
According to a legal notice supplied, On July 23, 2026, the facility became aware of unusual activity on its computer systems and immediately secured the environment. Park Place engaged a specialized third-party cybersecurity firm to conduct a comprehensive investigation to determine the nature and scope of the incident, which was completed on Aug. 19.
It was determined that certain information stored on the facility’s systems was copied by an unauthorized party. Park Place says it intends to notify all individuals whose personal information may have been exposed will be mailed notification, a list that was finalized Sept. 17.
Per the release from legal counsel Wilson Elser Moskowitz Edelman & Dicker, personal information potentially compromised includes name, date of birth, social security number, driver’s license number or other governmentissued ID number, financial account information, health information, and/or health insurance information.
“Since the discovery of the incident, we moved quickly to investigate, respond, and confirm the security of our computer systems,” the release stated. “Specifically, we reset all user account credentials, installed endpoint detection and response software to monitor our network system, refined the security of our remote access methods, restored operations in a safe and secure mode, and will continue to take steps to mitigate the risk of future harm. Finally, we are providing affected individuals with complimentary credit monitoring and identity theft restoration services.”
New admission agreement between Valencia College, Florida A&M
Valencia College has entered a three-year articulation agreement with Florida A&M University in Tallahassee, which includes guaranteed admission to FAMU for eligible Valencia College Associate in Arts (AA) graduates and selected Associate in Science (AS) graduates into designated FAMU baccalaureate programs.
“We know that many students in Central Florida dream of attending FAMU, and we are thrilled to offer them a clear pathway to make that dream a reality,” said Valencia College President Kathleen Plinske. “Through this partnership, students can begin their college journey at Valencia and know that they have a guaranteed pathway to continue their education at FAMU. That kind of certainty is incredibly powerful for students and their families as they plan for the future.”
Valencia students participating in the FAMU IGNITE Transfer Program must complete an AA degree or an identified AS degree and submit an IGNITE Transfer Program inquiry form before earning 30 credits to declare their intent to participate. The agreement also provides a reverse transfer pathway, allowing eligible students who transfer to FAMU before completing their AA degree to have qualifying credits earned at FAMU transferred back to Valencia.
The agreement includes designated transfer pathways connecting Valencia College programs with FAMU bachelor’s degree programs including Health Science, Health Informatics and Information Management, Biological Sciences, Biology, Molecular and Cellular Biology, Biology Pre-Med/Pre-Dent, Chemistry, Chemistry- Biochemistry, Computer Science, Information Technology, Architectural Studies and Construction Engineering Technology, among others. The institutions will also collaborate on faculty and student services, campus visits, recruitment activities and regular engagement.
