Minister Announces Roll-Out of New Drivers� Licences and Photo Identification Cards

The roll-out has begun for Newfoundland and Labrador�s new drivers� licences and photo identification cards. The Honourable Dianne Whalen, Minister of Government Services, presented the first driver�s licence issued at the Motor Registration Division�s Mount Pearl location this morning.

�While Motor Vehicle Registration has started the process of issuing the new standardized driver�s licence, drivers should be aware they do not need to rush out and get a new driver's licence at this time,� said Minister Whalen. �The roll-out is over a five-year period which means that drivers� licences do not need to be replaced until the expiry date noted on them. However, if anyone chooses to get a new driver�s licence, before their current card expires, they will be subject to the standard $20 replacement cost for the card.�

The new cards have many new security features including security patterns on the front of the card which are visible only under ultraviolet light. There are one-dimensional and two-dimensional barcodes, micro-printing and a �ghost� portrait. The laminate coating on the card contains an optical image that increases the card�s durability, security and tamper resistance. These patterns shift in colour as the card is tilted. With these new security features, the new licences are extremely difficult to alter or counterfeit without detection.

�The new drivers� licences are a joint project of all the Atlantic Provinces, however we are each responsible for issuing licences for our own jurisdictions as has always been the case,� said Minister Whalen. �We have worked together through a joint Request for Proposals to offer a new licence and photo id with enhanced security features and a similar format. Through this cooperative approach, we have been able to provide better security without increasing costs.�

New drivers� licences and photo identification cards were first issued last Monday, December 4 at the Harbour Grace office. After the Mount Pearl location, offices in Grand Falls-Windsor and Labrador City will be offering the new cards on Tuesday, December 12, with Corner Brook following on Wednesday, December 13, and Clarenville issuing the new cards on Thursday, December 14.

Photo #1:Cashier Terry Parsons hands Mr. Harry Lilly his new ID card, the first issued in the province

Photo #2: Minister Dianne Whalen presents Ms. Susan Brown of St. John's with the first driver's licence issued at the Mount Pearl location

Ministerial Statement - First New Drivers' Licence at Mount Pearl Location

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Media contact:
Vanessa Colman-Sadd
Director of Communications
Department of Government Services
709-729-4860, 682-6593
vanessacolmansadd@gov.nl.ca

2006 12 11                                                9:05 a.m.