Central issue process heading into home stretch

ITD’s Division of Motor Vehicles staff embarked on a monumental task in May – introducing a new way of issuing driver’s licenses and identification cards statewide.

The migration to a central-issue system for preparing and delivering licenses and ID cards required half-day closures of county licensing offices throughout the state and staff training.

“I just wanted to let everyone know that, as of Thursday (June 30), Central Issuance has ben successfully deployed throughout the state of Idaho,” said project manager Linda Ford. “All sheriff’s offices and Headquarters are now operating with the new CI equipment/software, and the county and HQ staff has been trained. What a great accomplishment for this team.”

The transition to central issuance was seamless and transparent for most individuals applying for or renewing licenses and ID cards in person at county offices. Instead of receiving their license or ID card on the spot, they now leave with a temporary, paper version that has the full effect of a permanent card.

Driver’s licenses and ID cards are produced and mailed from a secure, central location and have additional security features that make counterfeiting and fraudulent use much more difficult. Cards usually are received in about 10 working days, or less.

The new system includes capturing photos and signatures at local offices; 1-to-1 facial recognition; document authentication; printing temporary, interim documents; and sending print permanent card orders to a central location for processing.

Since introducing the new system in mid-May, the DMV staff has:

  • Processed 29,584 driver’s licenses and special ID interim documents
  • Printed and mailed 23,540 permanent cards
  • Deployed 54 central issuance county sites and ITD’s Headquarters
  • Installed and configured 117 total systems

The project was on schedule and within budget as of last Friday (July 1), Ford reported.

“Over the next four weeks, we will begin to transition the CI system over to maintenance and then close out the project.,” Ford said. Future system enhancements will be based on the Enterprise Technology Service’s “Change Management” process.

Remaining tasks include:

  • Prioritize/rank future CI system enhancements and engage the DMV Change Management process for development
  • Finalize reporting
  • Deploy any needed code updates
  • Finalize and accept all project documentation
  • Transition project to maintenance
  • Close Project

How the central issue process works

  • Current licenses and ID cards remain valid until the listed expiration date.
  • Under central issuance, you will leave the county office with a temporary card (below) printed on special security paper. The temporary document is issued for driving and identity purposes and remains valid for 30 days.
  • The new license or ID card (above) will be mailed within about 10 business days. The card is mailed in an unmarked envelope, much the same way a credit card or passport is mailed.
  • The temporary card includes a photo, all the information that appears on the plastic card (name, address, date of birth, height, weight, etc.), and a machine-readable bar code containing that information.
  • The new cards incorporate numerous security features, including micro-printing, ghost images and a laser-perforated pattern that reveals the shape of Idaho when held to the light. Not all security features are evident, and the enhanced security features make it obvious when a card has been tampered with.
  • The new cards are made from a more durable plastic than was previously available. And, the format and production process follows recommended best practices.
  • In addition to security benefits, the change also translates into system efficiencies and cost savings compared to issuing cards over-the-counter, Frew said. There is no additional cost to customers.

Photo: Division of Motor Vehicles Administrator Alan Frew thanked staff from DMV and ETS for their work in making the transition to central issue driver's licenses so successful. About 35 people turned out for the close out meeting Thursday.

Published 7-11-2011