AMSTERDAM, Jan 12, 2016 – Gemalto (Euronext NL0000400653 GTO), the world leader in digital security, announces Quebec’s driver’s license and vehicle registration authority, SAAQ[1], has declared Gemalto’s new central issuance facility for driver’s licenses operational. Gemalto’s professional services team worked closely with SAAQ over the past eight months to seamlessly integrate the central issuance solution into SAAQ’s headquarters. The first cards have been delivered to Quebec drivers as of September 9th, 2015.
In addition to providing the Coesys Issuance Solution for central issuance, the multi-year contract with SAAQ also includes a custom designed artwork and the polycarbonate-based driver licenses, known for its ability to support strong tactile security features. Gemalto’s team of security experts addressed the complexity of maintaining the existing driver’s license design while moving from the previous Teslin(R) card to a Polycarbonate one. The polycarbonate technology adds security improvements to the document without adding lengthy wait times for Quebec drivers renewing or applying for their driver’s license.
Switching to a polycarbonate driver’s license has two advantages: offering Quebec drivers a more secure form of identity in addition to increased durability of the driver’s license. This also reduces the cost of frequent reissuance and is more convenient for citizens.
“The flexibility of our driver’s license solution made it easy to incorporate the number of different card types that SAAQ supported in their existing system. The new production site consolidates all of SAAQ’s driver license issuance programs and includes the new polycarbonate driver’s license,” said Neville Pattinson, Senior Vice President of Government Programs for North America at Gemalto. “Gemalto’s employees operate the solution within SAAQ and ensure that we meet the service-level-agreement set by SAAQ.”
[1] Societe de l’assurance automobile du Quebec: The Societe de l’assurance automobile du Quebec (SAAQ) is a public entity under the authority of Quebec’s Minister of Transport. The SAAQ is governed by a Board of Directors. The SAAQ is responsible for enforcing the Automobile Insurance Act and the Highway Safety Code and, in accordance with agreements set forth in the Code, it oversees the partial enforcement of seven other laws.
