Updates on the rollout of new smart driving licence cards

The Department of Transport has advanced a step closer to launching the new smart driving licence cards.

IDEMIA Identity and Security has been appointed as the preferred bidder to produce the new cards and the appointment was approved on 8 August.

LATEST ON NEW SMART DRIVING LICENCE CARDS 

Department of Transport spokesperson Collen Msibi said IDEMIA is expected to enter into a service-level agreement with the department soon, following its work to establish the infrastructure and systems. 

Msibi said more information about the timeframes will be made available to the public once the service agreement has been signed.
 
“The new licence card will incorporate new security features to eliminate the ever-increasing risks of fraudulent and counterfeit driving licences.

“Considering the cost drivers of producing the driving licence and the risk of fraud and corruption, the new driving licence will continue to be manufactured centrally.,” he explained.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE OLD AND THE NEW CARDS?

The South African previously reported that crucial for current vs. new SA driving licence cards are improved security features, including biometric data and holograms.

An entirely new electronic licence system will be linked to your own personal licence account. It’s said this will make renewing and any interactions with the department much quicker and easier as it will be entirely paperless.

The new card will also make the SA driving licence compatible with the International Information Technology Personal Identification Compliant Driving Licence (ISO18013).