Outdated paper book driver’s license still being issued to new drivers

Thousands of motor vehicle operators in Guyana are still using the outdated paper book model of the driver’s licence. This practice is far removed from past commitments of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) when it was indicated that over 150,000 drivers would have been holders of the “state-of-the-art” durable automated licence.
This month marks four years since the first batch of automated driver’s (plastic card) licences was commissioned. The GRA is the body that issued the cards. However, according to information Guyana Times received, first-time licensed drivers in the outlying areas across the country are still receiving the paper book issued by the Guyana Police Force. These areas include Berbice, sections of the East Coast of Demerara, Essequibo and West Demerara.
At present, persons who reside in and around Georgetown are the chief beneficiaries of the modern plastic cards; a feature which has been available in several countries for decades. This newspaper was told that when drivers opt to renew their driver’s licence, they can obtain the plastic cards, which expires after three years. Information further disclosed suggested that the GRA would need to establish more offices around the country so that more Guyanese can be brought into the modern age.
It was in March 2014 that then GRA Commissioner General, Khurshid Sattaur, declared that the automated drivers licence card would replace the booklet-form licences. Since then, Sattaur has been replaced with a new GRA head, Godfrey Statia, but the outdated system remains prominent.
Back then, Sattaur announced that the system would have benefited both the GRA and the public as the card, being electronic, is secured against tampering and allows for information sharing with other external agencies, such as the Police.
The booklet form of the licence can be damaged when wet, forged and tracking the total number of drivers on the roadways could have challenges as the current systems is not centralised.
When the GRA introduced the automated drivers licence card initiative, it was felt that the system would have aided the organisation to provide services to the public on a more efficient basis and that it would have assisted in the fight to combat tax evasion.
(Shemuel Fanfair)