The Netherlands Vehicle Authority (RDW) was awarded Best New Travel Document for its new model Dutch driving licence, which went into production from June 2025, updating the card’s visual design and strengthening authenticity features while retaining the ID-1 format.

Described in public communications as a ‘hidden masterpiece’, the licence is designed to support simple first-line checks – look, tilt, feel and UV – while raising the barrier for counterfeiters. RDW notes that ‘not everything is visible to the naked eye’ and highlights that UV inspection reveals concealed illustrations, including motifs such as a road network and traffic lights, enabling rapid verification.

The 2025 model is built around a multi-technology security architecture with 11 authentication features, including a Sealys® clear window combined with multiple laser image (MLI) effects; a positive/negative image element; a diffractive optically variable image device (DOVID) overlay; and a secured background design.

The licence continues to include a contactless chip supporting online authentication. The production contract for the new model was awarded to Thales, which also produces the Dutch vehicle registration certificate.