Driving Licence Changes 'Black & White'

Northern Ireland driving licences are taking on a new look - which will also make them even more secure and more difficult to falsify.

The most notable changes are to the background colour on the provisional licence, which changes from pale blue to pale green, and a return to black and white photographs.

The latter is intended to make it even more difficult to falsify licences.

The minor changes were introduced on Friday to all new or renewed driving licences, which make Northern Ireland licences very similar to those issued in Great Britain.

The changes to the driving licence are coming about as a result of improved card security being introduced by a new European Union directive. Northern Ireland licences are currently printed by the Driver & Vehicle Agency at Coleraine.

However, since the cost of introducing the changes would have been prohibitive for the small volumes required in NI, the printing of the licences will now be carried out by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency in Swansea, which will print driving licences for all of the UK.

Commenting on the changes to the licence, DVA Chief Executive Stanley Duncan said: "Transferring the printing of drivers' licences to Swansea has a number of advantages.

"By allowing us to take advantage of economies of scale, we can keep costs down. It will also provide better security and improved contingency arrangements."

Mr Duncan said that all other work in relation to NI driver licences would remain with DVA in Coleraine, and that there would be no loss of jobs.

"The changes will have no effect on service standards. Customers can continue to expect the same high standards of service," he said.

(BMcC/GK)