Public consultation on ‘smart card’ driving licences launched

A public consultation will be launched shortly by the DVLA for proposals for a trial of smart card provisional driving licences in Wales.

The smart cards will be distributed in the early part of 2008 as part of a twelve-month trial into the feasibility of fitting all provisional licence cards with the chip. The trial will be restricted to Welsh Bi-lingual provisional licence holders for the period of the trial.

The chips built into the card will contain the data usually displayed on current photo card licences – name, date of birth, address, licence number and driving entitlements.

The Driving Standards Agency will be provided with card readers, which will allow them to access larger, higher quality images of the driver to ensure experienced drivers can’t illegally take the driving test for provisional licence holders. Welsh police forces will also be equipped with receivers to aid in roadside checks, and Welsh DVLA offices will have readers available if carriers of the card wish to inspect the information stored on the chip.

The consultation is hoping to establish public opinion on implement the smart card licences over a wider scale, potentially allowing drivers to access electronic services via a chip and pin system, or allow access to driver information for the purposes of car hire and insurance.

You’ll be able to see the consutlation on the DVLA website, here,  when it is launched.

• The announcement comes less than a month before the DVLA is due to announce the results of a trial into ‘spy chips’ in number plates, which will allow driver’s information to be access via roadside and handheld readers, and potentially track a vehicle’s movements. See MCN’s online spy stories by clicking here.