The Washington Department of Licensing is changing driver licenses to help protect against identity theft.

The department said it will expand the use of facial recognition technology already used in the Enhanced Driver License program.

Essentially a math-based facial mapping system, the software creates unique facial “templates” based on each driver license or ID card photo to identify potential matches of the same face associated with different names, the department said.

From there, Department of Licensing investigators take over the case, examining actual photographs and other information to determine if criminal activity, including identity theft, is occurring.

Changes to the driver license are coming as well — by shifting the picture to the left side and adding an identical but smaller, shaded photo on the right, the licenses will be harder to fake, the department said.

A new design will be phased in as drivers renew licenses, starting in June.

See the new driver license design here.