The Hindu : Front Page : Smart cards to replace driving licences, registration books

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Tuesday, Nov 11, 2008
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Smart cards to replace driving licences, registration books

Special Correspondent

Tamil Nadu is the first State in south India to have such a scheme

M. Karunanidhi

CHENNAI: Hereafter, “smart cards,” which resemble credit cards, will be issued to those who obtain driving licences. Similar cards will be given to vehicle owners at the time of registration.

On a pilot basis, the scheme of smart cards was inaugurated at the Regional Transport Office (Chennai-South), Thiruvanmiyur on Monday. At a function at the Secretariat, Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi launched it in the presence of Transport Minister K.N. Nehru, Home Secretary S. Malathi and Transport Commissioner C.P. Singh.

The scheme of smart cards is part of the State Transport department’s measures to simplify procedures concerning the issuance of driving licence and vehicle registration books. In a phased manner, it will be extended to about 60 RTOs all over the State.

In south India, Tamil Nadu is the first to have such a scheme, an official release said. [According to an official of the department, such cards are available in Delhi, Maharashtra, Orissa, West Bengal and Jharkhand].

Each card will have two features – visual inspection and machine readability. The embedded micro chip on each card can store electronic data and execute commands which can be read and updated, using terminals and devices.

Explaining the special features of the new system, the official release said this would help in elimination of use of bogus driving licences and fake registration certificates (RC). The data entered into the cards could not be erased. Only additions could be made. Details regarding offences or violation of laws committed by vehicle drivers would be recorded on the cards. Only authorised officials would be able to access the data.

The release said the reader equipment would be given to all law-enforcing officials of the department to enable them read the data entered in the cards. The official said the details would be provided to holders of the driving licences in the form of a hard copy.

Giving details of the issuance of driving licences and registration of vehicles at the RTO (Chennai South), the official added every month, 7,000 to 8,000 driving licences were issued and 180 transport vehicles and 2,500 non-transport vehicles registered.

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