Varadkar says new licences not open to fraud
Renewal photos sent in by drivers to update five and 10-year permits will be electronically cross-checked to ensure legitimacy, and the new-look licence will be far harder to forge, he said.
The photographic element of the new licence, which will take a decade to roll out, has caused most controversy as motorists could be facing four-hour round trips to get their pictures taken.
Applicants will no longer be allowed have their picture taken in a pharmacy or by a local photographer from September, when a new electronic verification system, known as Safe 2, is introduced.
The photograph will then have to be captured by Credit Card Systems, a Dublin-based company which will provide more than one centre in each county — though the locations are not yet known.
The new licences will also cost €55, more than double the current €25.
When renewing such licences, drivers will be able to send in their own photos, but rigorous security checks would guard against fraud, said Mr Varadkar .
“It’s very good for the authorities because it is very difficult to forge,” he said as he launched the licence yesterday
Road Safety Authority chief executive Noel Brett also welcomed the change-over.
“For removal of fraud and removal of drivers on the road who do not have a valid licence, this is a huge move forward. Many drivers are out there with doctored and forged licenses.
“Once in a lifetime you’ll be required to come along to one of the centres where you will have your identity verified to this new security standard called Safe 2.
“For renewals, because we have captured you, we know who you are, we have your license, we are able to renew you then — you update the photo yourself, you can renew online.
“It’s like getting a bank card, you must attend the bank to prove your identity to get your card; after that your cards come out automatically. So we will update your photograph that you provide to use because we have you in the system and we have verified you. And bear in mind that Safe 2 verification will be right across the sector eventually. Your identity will be verified in various places and we will have up to date photographs as we go through.”
Mr Varadkar denied the licence was a national identity card, but said it might be possible, in the future, to combine it with a social welfare card or a national identity card.
