The way you get or renew your drivers license in Nebraska will soon be shifting gears.

Days of walking in with your old license and out with your new are over. The Department of Motor Vehicles is changing the process in an effort to increase security and prevent fraud.

Starting July 20, driver licenses and state I.D. cards will be mailed to you after completion of your exam process and payment.

In the meantime, you will receive a 30 day interim document, which will have your picture on it and look much like your new i.d. with exception to many of the new security features.

Beverly Neth, Director of the Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles said be prepared to bring a few extra papers with you on your trip to the DMV too.

"Going forward, because we are mailing cards and in an attempt to cut down on some of the fraud we know exists, we're asking people for proof of residence."

Neth said utility bills, bank statements or other legal documents that have both your name and address on them will get the job done.

"In the past we've allowed you to tell us your address and that's really been taken at face value," said Neth. But too often, face value has led to fraud, which is the main reason for the changes.

"We were really trying to focus on mitigating fraud and identity theft to the greatest extent possible," said Neth. "We know there are some loopholes in our system that allow people to get through while trying to steal someones identity or perpetrating a fraud, for whatever reason that may be."

In fact, Neth said there is anywhere from 12,000 to 24,000 fraud cases a year involving drivers license identification.

Neth said there are a variety of reasons including people with revoked licenses trying to "beat the system" who get i.d.'s under alias names, sex offenders avoiding registration, and people simply out to steal your identity.

By using a central issuance system to produce the card, Neth new cards will have the "most sophisticated security devices" possible.

You will also notice an additional $2.50 security surcharge added to your fees for your new license.

"From my perspective if we can deploy a system with a reasonable price, overall it benefits all citizens," said Neth.

The director said the department is also working with TSA and Nebraska airports and banks about the changes, but she recommends planning ahead as the best solution to curbing any anticipated problems.