New driver's license cards will guard against forgery

Nov 07, 2013

The works and transport ministry is issuing new driving permits with additional features to enhance security and guard against forgeries.

By JOHN AGABA 

The works and transport ministry is issuing new driving permits with additional features to enhance security and guard against forgeries. 

The new computerized permits have a security print UGANDA running across the card. When the card is tilted, the security print appears like it is in a green color.

"We have introduced these additional features as a security enhancement tool to prevent fraud and beat forgeries," explained Winstone Katushabe, secretary Uganda Transport Licensing Board.

"People have been forging permits. Someone comes with a permit and when you place it in card verification device it is fake; you check and the card bears no information about the owner," added Katushabe.

He, however, said that the introduction of the new driver's license cards didn't mean that the 'old' permits issued before October 17 were out of circulation or turned invalid.

"They still work as long as they are not expired," said Katushabe. "But when they are expired and the owner comes for renewal, they will be issued new cards."

He said the new cards also have other hidden additional features. These can't be seen with a naked eye. You need a card verification device. 

"So when you put the permit number into the device you are able to get all the details about the owner, the class of the car they are licensed to drive, their picture, all information about them," said Katushabe.

"When the card is forged then nothing comes, or there comes information not tallying with the bearer."

He said they are trying to add more security features on the cards "because when there are more security features it is hard for the card to be forged".  

He said that all cards issued after October 17 must have these additional features. 

"We really want to erase this habit of people going through go-betweens to get driving permits. People should access permits the right way after they have passed their driving tests, said Katushabe.  "They should not pay money to anyone that they are going to get them permits. This is the reason we have fake permits and people who don't know traffic rules on the road." 

He said that the board had stepped up measures to check against fake permits by giving police more card verification devices.

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