Yellowknife (Apr 01/05) - A change in format coming this fall means NWT residents will have a few more hurdles to jump the next time they renew their driver's licences.

Officials with the Department of Transportation say demands for tougher rules across North America have come down since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

New measures include scrapping the laminated cards used for the current NWT driver's licence and instituting a waiting period to obtain new permanent licences.

"What's going to happen once we implement this new process is that you're going to complete the transaction as you would now, but you're going to leave with a temporary driver's licence," said Stephen Murphy, acting manager of the driver and vehicle licensing program.

A couple of years ago the territorial government began insisting residents present secondary identification as well as their old licences when coming to renew their licences. Secondary identification could be a passport, birth certificate, or proof of residency -- such as a utility bill with the resident's home address on it.

Drivers also have to fill out a signed declaration form. The latest plan adds a waiting period to the process. Motorists will be presented with a temporary licence - a paper card with a black and white headshot of the driver.

One to three weeks later - once the government has verified his or her identity - the driver will return to the licence office to pick up the permanent licence.

Murphy said the new permanent licences will have a similar appearance to a firearms acquisition card - a poly-carbonate card with a digital photo affixed to it and secret security features designed to make it difficult to copy.

"We want to make sure our driver's licences are accepted North America-wide," said Murphy.

Murphy said the current licence has become obsolete and may no longer be acceptable to law enforcement agencies in other jurisdictions, particularly in the United States.

The current licence makes no mention of the NWT being a part of Canada. The new format will.

Murphy said even the temporary licences will be recognized anywhere in North America.

He said people renewing their licences prior to the implementation date - sometime before the end of this year - or if they still have several years left on their current licences will be "grandfathered" until their licences expire.

They will be taking a risk, however, if they intend use it outside the territory.

Kevin McLeod, acting director of road licensing and safety, said residents may want to get the updated licence if they intend to travel outside of the territory.

"My sense is that people with the old licence will say, 'oh geez, I'm travelling to Europe, I'm going to get a new one just to make sure,'" said McLeod.

"We anticipate that people will want to get the new licence before their old ones expire."

A normal Class 5 licence costs $75 plus agency fees and GST. A replacement licence costs $10, not including the other fees. McLeod said there are no plans to increase the price for the new licence.

McLeod said it is yet to be determined how much the licensing changes will cost overall, though several hundred thousand dollars have been set aside in this year's territorial budget to get the process started.

Also coming this year will be a graduated system for new drivers, similar to other provinces.

Residents can still obtain a Class 7 licence at 15 years of age, but will have to undergo a 12-month waiting period before they can obtain a Class 5 licence, rather than merely becoming eligible at 16.

Unlike now, a Class 5 licence will not be automatically issued upon completion of a road test. A minimum two-year probationary licence will be issued instead.

"All we're asking for is that the drivers have more supervision over a longer period of time and get more experience under different conditions," said McLeod.

Probationary licence

"So if they get into a vehicle by themselves or without a licensed driver with them and they have a car full of kids, that they've got as much experience as we can possibly give them."

Murphy said the probationary licence will carry a lower demerit threshold, and have zero tolerance on any alcohol consumed while behind the wheel.

A road safety violation, such as speeding, will result in a written warning. Any subsequent violations will require the driver to come in for an interview with department officials and a possible suspension.

Yellowknife Centre MLA Robert Hawkins said he is pleased with the proposed changes.

He lobbied the government last year to update its licensing system, after receiving several complaints from constituents who said they endured cross-border hassles with the current licence.

"For instance, our pictures covered the word 'driver' so it said 'river licence,'" said Hawkins.

"It looks like a poorly-done fake driver's licence."