UP approves smart card driving licences

Lucknow  :  The Uttar Pradesh cabinet Thursday approved the proposal of smart card driving licences across the state.

This decision was taken following repeated complaints of fake driving licences being in circulation, leading to serious security complications.

The smart card driving licence will contain biometric records of the licence holder.

Officials informed that based on government patented software “Saarthi”, all records of such licences will be maintained at the regional transport officer (RTO) level.

The data will be later compiled on a unified state-level database, which would later be assimilated to a national database.

Once the scheme of smart card licence is implemented inclusion of biometric details like thumb impression will make it a must for applicant to be physically present at the RTO office. This, experts say, will minimize forged licences.