WETHERSFIELD – The state Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) today announced that it will transition to a central issuance program in accordance with Connecticut’s security plan under the Real ID Act and as required by federal law. It anticipates full implementation by the end of 2017.
The central issuance of driver licenses and official state ID cards is one of two allowable options under the federal Real ID Act of 2005 as a measure to protect against fraud and identity theft. New and renewed credentials will be produced at a central, secure location that meets federal requirements for both safeguarding the raw materials used to produce licenses and IDs as well as mailing them to customers.
“Having a central issuance program is a significant deterrence to ID theft and counterfeiters,” said DMV Commissioner Michael Bzdyra. “The physical security at a central issuance site and the new card design better protect Connecticut license and ID card holders.”
Overall, there are many reasons a security plan under the Real ID Act requires central issuance. The chief benefits include reducing the risk of counterfeit driver licenses by securing and tracking materials used to produce driver licenses and ID cards. This enhances the security of customer identities and reduces opportunity for identity theft.
Another significant advantage is that central issuance will provide DMV with time-saving and wait-time reducing options, such as allowing customers to “skip a trip” by renewing these credentials online. Customers will also be able to use the DMV website to replace a lost license or ID.
The central issuance program is already in place in over 25 states. DMV’s long-time license vendor, MorphoTrust, manages the current system in place since 2002 and will oversee the transition to central issuance.
As customers wait for their licenses or IDs to arrive in the mail, they will be given a temporary paper copy of their new or renewed credential. They also can continue to keep their expiring one to accompany the temporary copy until the government-issued card arrives. It is expected that credentials will be mailed within a few days.
The federal Department of Homeland Security provides Real ID compliant states, such as Connecticut, two options for securing their driver license production processes: 1) To issue from a secure centralized location or 2) To continue the over-the-counter issuing, which would require massive capital investments.
The Real ID Act, passed by Congress in 2005, establishes certain security standards for proof of identity and production of state-issued driver’s licenses and identification cards.
