News release

New Driver's Licence and Photo Identification Cards

Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations (Oct. 2000 - March 2014)

Preventing identity theft is the driving force behind the province's plan to move to more secure driver's licence and photo identification cards later this spring.

As part of this initiative, Access Nova Scotia Centres will start collecting height and eye colour information from Nova Scotians renewing their driver's licences, applying for new ones and people seeking a government identification card beginning Thursday, April 15.

"This is part of government's commitment to protect Nova Scotians by staying ahead of increasingly complex threats to personal identity," said Ramona Jennex, Minister of Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations. "This initiative is part of an Atlantic provinces' joint venture to comply with changing national and international security standards."

The new cards will be made using enhanced technology to capture photos and signatures. Information on the card, including height and eye colour, will be stored in a secure location.

The new cards will be phased in at Access Nova Scotia Centres later this spring. It is expected to take four to six weeks to complete the process. There will be no extra cost to consumers.