Does an ID Scanner stop fradulent drivers licenses? Its not a simple answer. Here are the conditions that an ID Scanner will catch a fake.
Some fakes have a barcode but the name in the barcode does not match the name printed on the front. The better ID Scanners will display the name and if the operator notices that the name on the ID Scanner screen does not match that printed on the license, a fake will be detected.
Some fakes have unreadable barcodes. This is because the barcode is streched / cutoff / shrunk and is there just to fool a human. But if the machine can't read it, then its likely to be a fake. This is because barcodes are very readable and to demonstrate, NY punches a 1/4" hole in the barcode of the drivers license when its expired. Barcode readers can still read this barcode because there is redundant data in the barcode. So if the barcode can't be read, its very likely a fake.
Some fakes, when scanned will not have a recognized data format. So the scanner will say something like unrecognized format.
Some fakes have altered printed data. Using ink or by punching small holes, the date of birth or expiration text will be modified so that a eight will look like a three. The Drivers License Scanner will read the correct information and warn expired or underage.
But there are fake IDs that will scan through an ID Scanner. Its like Fake $20 bills. They range in quality and the same is true of fake IDs. So don't believe any company that claims they can stop fake IDs. They should claim they will stop SOME fake IDs but it depends on who is making the fakes.
