Driving Licence

27th October 2007

Here's a smart idea... the DVLA is to try out a new way of preventing motorists from illegally sitting learners’ tests. It’s planning a trial of ‘smart’ provisional driving licences.

An electronic chip embedded in the plastic will hold personal data and a colour photo of the novice. As black-and-white pictures are currently used, the colour image will make it easier for test centres to confirm a learner’s identity. Around 30,000 drivers will be involved in the study when it starts next year.

In the meantime, the DVLA has launched a public consultation on the proposals to find out what motorists think of the scheme.