State-of-the-Art driving licences

Hiran H. SENEWIRATNE

DRIVING LICENCES: The Department of Motor Traffic has taken the initiative to introduce a new driving licence card to Sri Lanka using State-of -the-Art smart card technology to capture and stored driver information.

The Department will also implement a user-friendly driving licence management system to streamline the process of personalisation, production and issuing of the new smart driving licences based on a build operate and transfer basis for the convenience of Sri Lankan motorists, Commissioner of Department of Motor Traffic B. Wijayaratne said.

He said the new system is an efficient system link that enables the Department to release a driving licence within seven working days.

The Driving Licences Department has been shifted to Werahera by linking up with its Narahenpita head office and district offices with a fully centralised method.

Under the system it has a fully documentation management system which will also be helpful to law enforcing authorities as well.

Further, it has an inbuilt merit point system warning drivers, which has a self-cancellation system, he said.

This system will process all smart card driving licences in keeping with international standards will be implemented from March.

The project will be implemented by Biometrics Specialists Face Technologies who have formed a joint venture with Metropolitan Group as its local partner and Austria Card as the technology partner.

The Business Development Manager Face Technologies Willem van Schalkwyk said they have implemented many driving licence projects worldwide and this solution will be customised to meet the requirements of the Department of Motor traffic in Sri Lanka.

He said that the state-of-the-art smart card base-driving licence would contain a microchip that will carry driver information including a digital photograph, fingerprint and digital signature.

The card can also contain additional information such as the driver's blood group and medical information for use during times of emergencies.

He said the card would be laser engraved and have high tech security features such as optically variable ink, holograms, guilloches and micro printing. All information stored on the on board chip will also be encrypted with the latest encryption technology, he said.

Chairman Metropolitan Group J. J. Ambani said Face Technologies and Austria Card are world-renowned companies in the world and Face Technology is a South African company has launched similar projects in many countries in the world, while the Austria Card is a market leading and internationally operating company in the field of smart card production and re-development in Austria.

Ambani said this joint venture would help Sri Lankan motorists have a state- of- the- art driving licence card.

Existing licence holders will not be required to apply for the new cards.