Some of you may be thinking, “What’s the harm in a fake ID?” Many of us actually had them to get into clubs, bars, and other establishments that were for the 21 and up crowd. Tennessee is one of the states currently cracking down on the use of fake IDs. In most states, an individual may get a slap on the wrist of a small fine, but not in Tennessee.
7 Ways To Spot a Tennessee Fake ID in 2023
Tennessee is doing its part to keep fake ID distribution down. Through highly advanced features and tech savvy know how, the designers of the ID have made it almost impossible to replicate. Thankfully, there is not just one, but many intricate design features to help you spot a fake.
The average fake id makers use outdated equipment to produce an ID and, as stated previously, these IDs are made in great haste to maximize profits, so one of more features will likely be left off.
Here are some tested methods to spot a Tennessee counterfeit identification:
1. Overlay System
Tennessee is one of the many states that use an overlay in their identification. The overlay is very difficult to duplicate and fake id cards generally do not have an overlay. The most obvious way to check if an overlay is on the identification is to simply bend the identification card. If it bends without creasing in the center, it is a real overlay. The overlay is a protective cover over the identification. The bend should remain smooth in a real Tennessee ID.
What happens with a fake Tennessee ID when bent, any laminate will begin to peel away. When bending an ID, put some pressure on the card, but not too much. You want to check the integrity of the card and how it was made, not break it in half or cause a permanent bend in an accrual ID.
2. Front & Back Laminated
The Tennessee license is meant to last for many years. Sometimes, an ID is designed to last for 10 to 15 years depending on the age of the person. Protection for the ID and integrity of printing is available from an intense laminating process. The laminate is not just on one side, but both sides.
Bogus Tennessee ids are commonly laminated on one side. The lack of lamination on both sides of the card are almost a dead giveaway that the ID is fake.
Phony identification cards are often made quickly and as cheaply as possible to maximize profit, so most fake identification producers will simply leave off the back laminate in hopes the person checking the ID merely looks at the picture, birthdate, and other relevant information before moving on.
3. Dual Images
Tennessee Department of Motor Vehicles (DOT) has done a lot to ensure faking IDs is difficult. One of the more advanced features of the Tennessee ID is the dual image. When looking at a real Tennessee ID you will see the main image on the left side.
It should be a clear image of the person without any obstruction. If you look to the right of the ID, you will see a duplicate image. The duplicate image should be lighter and opaque in color. This image is also much smaller than the main image.
This feature is difficult, but not impossible to fake, but what makes the ghost image so important is another feature behind the image. To the trained eye, simply a ghost image on the right side of the ID is not enough to pass as real. Experienced security officers know to look for a pattern behind both images.
A distinct pattern runs the length of a true Tennessee ID. If that pattern is evident on one, but not both images, the identification is a fake. Even the most advanced printers for fake ID distributors cannot often duplicate the pattern on both images.
3. Optically Varied Devices (OVDs)
Tennessee IDs are not just cards printed and laminated on both sides. If that were the case, duplicating an ID would be very easy. Thankfully, the officials in the Tennessee Department of Safety have thought to include something unique in their identification cards.
Optically Varied Devices or OVDs are built into every authentic Tennessee ID. When you look at a Tennessee ID and hold it to the light, an evident pattern shines through. This pattern, for Tennessee actually morphs into an outline of the state itself. There are also music notes and the state seal as a part of this feature.
Some of the more advanced fake ID websites may be able to produce an exact replica of the OVDs presented on a real Tennessee ID, but they do not often replicate the 3-dimensional parts of the image. Certain areas of the ID contain OVDs that are engrained into the ID 3-dimensionally, meaning one part of the image will be above the background image while part of the OVD fades into the background.
The real ID has a lot of depth to the card and is not merely placed on a card. Noticing the intricate nature and studying the image of a real ID can help you distinguish the subtle nuances that are not seen on a phony id card. Fake driver’s license manufacturers are good at what they do, but with a trained eye, the OVDs can almost always give a fake away.
4. Tennessee Microtext
Counterfeit id vendors can get most of the features of a Tennessee ID correct, but one part that they often miss is the microprinting. The Tennessee Department of Safety have some of the most advanced printers on the planet, capable of printing very tiny images and lettering. These printers use this to an advantage when printing an ID.
Microprinting is located at various areas throughout a real Tennessee ID. The largest section is at the top of the ID. Even with a trained eye it is difficult to spot microprinting, so many security officers utilize a magnifying glass to look for the lettering. The first place to look is at the top of the ID.
3 Microprinting Errors On Tennessee Fakes
- Between the Tennessee skyline and the picture on the ID is a large batch of microprinting. The print actually runs into the very top of the image, so if it stops short of the image, you are likely dealing with a fake.
- Another area of microprinting is at the bottom of a Tennessee ID. This area is not a random collection of lettering, but actually says The Volunteer State which is what Tennessee is known for.
- The microprinting should be clear and you should be able to clearly make out what it says when using a magnifying device.
Microprinting is not only at the top and the bottom, but is located in ribbons throughout the ID. These ribbons also should say The Volunteer State. If the microprinting is not clear or does not say that particular phase, you may have a fake ID in your hands.
5. Date of Birth Location
The date of birth is a very prominent feature of any ID. This is what any security officer will look at first, but not merely the birth date should be valued.
It is the location of the birthdate that is most important. For the Tennessee ID, the birthdate of the individual is located on both the front and the back of the ID. In haste, many fake ID makers will forget to include the information on the back of the ID.
6. UV Lighting
Not all features of the Tennessee ID can be seen with the naked eye or even with a magnifying glass. One vital feature can only be seen with a UV flashlight. This is possibly the most important feature when trying to spot a fake Tennessee ID.
At the top of the ID there should be a faint flower that can be seen when you hold a UV flashlight to the area. Not just an average UV flashlight can see the image, so make sure your flashlight is within the 395 nanometer range to properly see the image.
In Conclusion
The key ingredient in determining a fake Tennessee ID is careful study of the real ID and a keen understanding of its intricate features. When checking for bogus ids in Tennessee keep a magnifying glass and proper UV flashlight to ensure you can see and know all features are on the ID.
It might seem like a childish lark to have a fake ID, but these are no laughing matter. More and more people are getting fake IDs in Tennessee. Not only is it an adolescent problem, but illegal immigrants and those running from the law. Spotting a fake ID can help you protect your establishment while keeping others safe.