A new, more durable and secure version of the plastic card driver’s licence will soon be launched by the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) for drivers.
In a statement today, the GRA said that compared to the previous licence, the new card has advanced security features to guard against reproduction, tampering or damage. These features will enable universal acceptance. The statement said that the upgrading was spearheaded by the GRA’s Information Technology Unit following the initial launch of the first plastic card driver’s licence in March of 2014.
The new driver’s licence will be available before Christmas this year and will have a five-year validity period with a fee of $5,000. The fee is however being waived for drivers over 65-years old. When launched, the new licence will only be issued to first-time applicants and those whose licences have expired. Persons whose current licences are still valid should therefore wait until the expiration date.
The statement said that first-time applicants will be required to submit a completed Driver’s Licence Application form, a valid identification (ID Card or Passport) and their Provisional Driver’s Licence endorsed with the Competence number or certification slip from the Guyana Police Force (GPF) Certifying Officer. The officer in the GRA’s lodgment area will then verify and process the application upon receipt. Thereafter, the applicant will have his/her photograph taken. The GRA will now require a digital signature from the applicant, the statement said. This will be done at the time of lodgment using an electronic signature pad.
Drivers who are renewing their licence will only be required to submit a completed Driver’s Licence Application form and valid identification if they were previously issued a plastic card licence. If not, they will be required to take in their expired Driver’s Licence.
