New Hampshire drivers under 21 will have vertical licenses thanks to a bill signed into law by Governor John Lynch in a ceremony last week, according to a July 12 press release from New Futures.

Starting in January 2008, standard licenses will still be printed horizontally, but those under the legal drinking age will be immediately identifiable by their vertical licenses.

'Vertical drivers' licenses are a tool in the fight against underage drinking,' said Rep. William Butynski, the bill's sponsor. 'They provide merchants and law enforcement personnel with an instant visual cue as they verify a license holder's age.'

At least thirteen states have adopted vertical drivers' license laws.

For more information, visit www.new-futures.org.