DMV Announces New Secure Driver License and Identification Card System

Dover – The Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV), a division of the Department of Transportation (DelDOT), is in the process of implementing a new secure driver license and identification card system. The DMV awarded a contract to L-1 Identity Solutions on April 4, 2009. L-1, based out of Stamford, Connecticut, will develop and implement a new system that will increase the security process by which the DMV issues driver licenses and could be in effect as early as November 1, 2009.

Under this new secure system, the most recognizable change for DMV customers will be their photograph being taken at the very beginning of the application process instead of at the end, as it is currently. Customer service will become more individualized because one DMV employee will stay with a single individual throughout the entire transaction. Initially, this could create longer wait times, but it is necessary in order to achieve material compliance with the federal secure credentialing requirements.

Also, the new system will include enhanced facial recognition technology in order to protect Delaware residents from identity theft. The system will compare the applicant’s current photograph with the division’s entire photograph database to ensure the applicant does not have a driver license/identification card in another name and to ensure the individual is not trying to commit identity theft.

Another noticeable change in the Delaware driver license and identification card process is the documents that will be required of an applicant in order to initially obtain the new secure credential. In order to obtain a new secure driver license/identification card, applicants will be required to provide source documents (e.g. birth certificate, passport, immigration documents) to establish their identity, social security information and proof of residency. It is important to note that once the applicant has obtained a new secure driver license/identification card, the applicant will not be required to provide the source documents upon renewal.

The Delaware DMV’s new secure driver license/identification card system is part of a nationwide effort to comply with the Real ID Act. Congress passed the Act in 2005 after the 9/11 Commission recommended that the United States improve its system for issuing identification documents. The DMV’s new system will improve the integrity and security of State-issued driver licenses and identification cards, which in turn, will help fight terrorism and reduce fraud.

The new secure driver license/identification card will be uniquely marked and will meet all federal requirements for proof of identification. Delaware residents will be able to use these secure documents as proof of identity for federal purposes such as boarding commercial aircrafts and entering federal buildings.

Delaware residents who currently have a Delaware driver license/identification card may choose to obtain a “non-compliant” driver license/identification card; however, the “non-compliant” driver license/identification card will not be able to be used as proof of identity for federal purposes such as boarding commercial aircrafts or entering federal buildings. The non-compliant card will not require source documents like the secure credential.

The division will provide additional information regarding the new requirements to Delaware residents prior to them renewing their existing driver license or identification card.

For more information, visit DelDOT’s web page at www.deldot.gov/

Fact Sheet

- In February 2009 the Department of Transportation (DelDOT) issued a competitive sealed proposal requesting vendors to bid on a contract to issue Delaware secure driver licenses/identification cards. The Department requested the vendors to consider the following strategic points when developing their bids:

§ Establish the identity of applicants at the beginning of the driver license/identification card process;

§ Accept and verify only approved variable foundation identity documents and capture and store the documents with the applicant’s record;

§ Train division staff to recognize valid foundation documents;

§ Confirm the applicant’s identity on driver license/identification card renewals by using facial recognition technology;

§ Eliminate the potential for fraud using security procedures, audits and technology;

§ Validate the applicant’s eligibility by checking against databases from other jurisdictions and against federal databases;

§ Ensure the driver license/identification card is both secure and durable in view of its intended application and the counterfeiting attempts to which it may be exposed;

§ Adopt a secure card delivery process that limits and controls access to materials, equipment, process and information;

§ Establish a comprehensive audit control process;

§ Aid law enforcement by providing tools to identify legitimate documents;

§ Ensure Delaware will meet the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators and federal Real ID Act requirements.

- After reviewing all proposals, the DMV, a division of DelDOT, selected L-1 Identity Solutions to produce the State’s new secure driver licenses and identification cards, which the Department shall start issuing as early as Nov. 1, 2009.

- L-1 Identity Solutions has over 50 years of experience in the secure credentialing marketplace and currently produces driver licenses and identification cards in 44 U.S. jurisdictions.

- The new secure driver license/identification card will be uniquely marked and will meet all federal requirements for proof of identification. Delaware residents will be able to use these secure documents as proof of identity for federal purposes such as boarding commercial aircrafts and entering federal buildings.

- The new driver license/identification card will have linked and layered security features to prevent counterfeiting and will provide improved security and privacy for Delaware residents through the use of data encryption and biometric log-in for division employees who enroll applicants.

- The new system will provide complete integration with the existing document verification system currently used to authenticate source documents that driver license/identification card applicants present to the division, as well as the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) which is used to verify an applicant’s legal presence in the United States.

- In order to protect Delaware residents from identity theft, the system will use enhanced facial recognition technology to compare the applicant’s current photograph with the division’s entire photograph database to ensure the applicant does not have a driver license/identification card in another name.

- The system will also streamline the division’s business process flow by taking an applicant’s driver license/identification card photograph at the front counter in the beginning of the process.

- In order to obtain a new secure driver license/identification card, applicants will be required to provide source documents (e.g. birth certificate, passport, social security card) to establish their identity, social security information and proof of residency. The division will provide additional information regarding these requirements to Delaware residents prior to the implementation of the new secure driver license/identification card system.

- Delaware residents who currently have a Delaware driver license/identification card may choose to obtain a “non-compliant” driver license/identification card without providing source documents; however, the “non-compliant” driver license/identification card cannot be used as proof of identity for federal purposes such as boarding commercial aircrafts or entering federal buildings.