Thread: NM beefs up license security

NM beefs up license security
By Steve Ramirez/Sun-News reporter
Article Launched: 04/28/2008 12:00:00 AM MDT



This image provided by the New Mexico Department of Taxation and Revenue shows a sample of the state's new driver's licenses. The state's Motor Vehicle Division unveiled a new hi-tech driver's license on Tuesday, to better protect the public from identity theft. The new license program uses bio-metric facial recognition technology and other security features that will not be revealed to the public. The new license procedure now starts with a temporary license. While confirming a person's identity, applicants for licenses will now leave the MVD office with a temporary license, which they will use until the permanent license arrives in the mail within seven to 10 days. (AP photo)
Click photo to enlargeThis image provided by the New Mexico Department of Taxation and Revenue shows a... (AP photo)«1»

LAS CRUCES — A new hi-tech driver's license has been unveiled by the New Mexico Motor Vehicle Division that is intended to better protect the public from identity theft, with biometric facial recognition technology at work.

The new license program, which started last week as a pilot project in Santa Fe, compares a current photo with former photos on file in the MVD database.

"The more secure we make each license, the more secure New Mexican identities become" said Rick Homans, Taxation and Revenue secretary. "We are making sure criminals can't use a license to rip off anyone's identity."

The new license has several new security features on it, to make it even harder to forge. Some of those features have been released to the public, but others will not be disclosed.

Kenneth Ortiz, MVD director, said other security features in the new drivers license will remain proprietary to maintain its integrity.

"Each face will be matched with bio-metric facial recognition to ensure it's the real individual, and the license will have additional security features to stop forgeries," Ortiz said.

The new licenses are only being issued at the MVD office in Santa Fe at this time, but the program will be expanded to all MVD offices in the state by mid-June.
Division officials stressed that drivers and identity cards holders do not need to get a new license until renewal time.

"This new process is for new and renewal licenses only," Ortiz said.

Most Las Cruces motorists said they are interested in learning more about the new licenses. However, they are a bit concerned about how well the temporary license procedure will work.

"A new license that makes it more secure is definitely a good thing," said Roberto Torrez, a Las Cruces resident who works for a wholesale produce company.

"But I could see where there could be some hassles with the temporary license that could cause some gaps in security. As long as they can work out all the bugs before the license gets here, I'd be satisfied."

Alice Michaels, a retired auto plant employee who has lived in Radium Springs the past eight years, said the new license needs to be more compatible with other security measures being used.

"You go to the airport now and there's problems a lot of times with the security people there accepting your license," Michaels said. "I hope that isn't going to be a problem any more with this new one."

More than 50,000 drivers licenses and ID cards are issued every month.

Maj. Jesus "Jesse" Orozco, of the New Mexico State Police, said law enforcement agencies across the state strongly support the new license.

"This license is a bold step in preventing identity theft, and the State Police believes strongly that this will help keep licenses out of the hands of criminals," Orozco said.

The new license procedure starts with issuance of a temporary license first. Because the process of confirming the photo identity takes time, applicants will use the temporary license until a permanent one is mailed to them in seven to 10 days.

A new public affairs campaign called "TAKE THE TEMP!" has been started to alert law enforcement agencies, airports, hospitals, schools, retail outlets, and anywhere else an ID is required to accept the temporary ID.

"We are urging all New Mexicans to recognize the new temporary license as official," Homans said.

People with the new licenses are strongly urged to carry their old licenses and another form of photo ID with them as backup.


Steve Ramirez can be reached at sramirez@lcsun-news.com

http://www.lcsun-news.com/news/ci_9078380

REAL ID. One state I wont be living in.