Ontario Unveils New, More Secure Driver’s Licence
Posted December 7, 2007 12:00 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Ontario’s new driver’s licence is about to become more secure than ever – and it could soon become an alternative to having a passport.
The province unveiled the new card Friday. It has a minimum of six new security features aimed at preventing identity theft – anyone renewing their licence from this point on will receive one of the cards. The new identification will be tough to counterfeit or tamper with.
“There are all types of frauds including mortgage frauds for hundreds of thousands of dollars and on occasion millions of dollars,” said Toronto Police Fraud Squad Staff Insp. Stephen Harris.
It could even be used by Ontarians in lieu of a passport at the U.S. border if the federal government gets on board. If Ottawa does agree to allow the province citizenship data, drivers can have that information added to their new licence in order for it to be checked at the border.
U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff mentioned last month that security-enhanced driver’s licences would be accepted as passport alternatives at the Canada-U.S. border.
“The secure card could be enhanced to add citizenship information so that in about a year Ontarians would have the option of using their licence as a border-crossing document,” confirmed Transportation Minister Jim Bradley.
“Every indication that we get now is that if we can produce a secure document that they’re [U.S. Homeland Security] are satisfied with it could be used in lieu of a passport,” he said.
At this point passports are only required for those entering the U.S. by air, but the plan was eventually to make them mandatory for anyone entering that country by air, land, or sea.
The strict new rules worried businesses on both sides of the border, who felt the passport necessity would make a major dent in the tourist trade.
Licence Look
What is it?
A new high tech licence designed to prevent identity theft and possibly serve as an alternate to your passport when travelling to the U.S. But a Ministry spokesman admits that could be ‘years away.’
What’s special about it?
It has a second photo on the front, raised lettering of the licence’s number, signature and date of birth, a fine-line background, a 2D barcode, micro and rainbow printing, and ultraviolet features among others.
When can you get it?
They’ll be issued the next time you renew your licence, starting this month.
What’s the cost?
It won’t be more expensive, retaining the $75 charge you pay now.
What if you’ve just renewed your licence?
You’re out of luck. The only way to get the new version is to move, change the information on your current card or wait until your next renewal five years from now.
