New Driver’s Licences in NL to Have Significantly Enhanced Security Features

The Newfoundland and Labrador Government has unveiled its new secure driver’s licence and photo ID cards which will help protect Newfoundlanders and Labradorians against identity theft, fraud and forgery. The new cards have multiple layers of security features which over-the-counter printing technology cannot produce, and also meet numerous industry and government standards.

The new driver’s licences and Photo IDs will begin to be issued later this fall to new applicants once the required technological updates are made at Motor Registration division offices throughout the province. After the new cards are available, residents that already have a valid driver’s licence or Photo ID will have theirs replaced when it is time for renewal.

Newfoundland and Labrador is joined by Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island on this initiative. As announced on May 1, 2017, the four Atlantic provinces awarded Gemalto, a world leader in digital security, a five-year contract to produce and mail the driver’s licences and photo ID cards directly to residents.

“Protection of our residents and enhancing the efficiency of government services are important objectives for our government. The introduction of new driver’s licences and Photo ID cards with improved security features is further protection for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians against identity theft and fraud,” said Sherry Gambin-Walsh Minister of Service NL.

Cutting-edge security features include: a changeable laser image which enables two or more images to occupy the same area; a polycarbonate card body which is more durable, secure and tamper-resistant; laser engraving which raises the print making it difficult to tamper or modify; and an inventory control number which is unique and has an accompanying barcode and While driver’s licences and photo IDs will no longer be printed at any Motor Registration Division office in the province, applicants will continue to apply for or renew a driver’s licence via the same processes that are currently in place. Clients will be issued a 30-day temporary document to use until the new secure card arrives in the mail within seven to 10 business days. There will be an option for an individual to pay an additional courier fee upon delivery to have a driver’s licence or photo ID produced within 24 hours.
All Motor Registration Division offices throughout the province will get updated technology to support the new, more secure licences and ID cards. These upgrades will be made at different locations beginning in November 2017, with an anticipated completion date of mid-December 2017.