Virtual driver’s license issuance is just around the corner in Puerto Rico; governor signs the law | The NY Journal

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https://dtop.pr.gov/ / Courtesy

The Governor of Puerto Rico, Wanda Vázquez Garced, signed the House Bill 403 to amend the Puerto Rico Vehicle and Traffic Law for the purpose of authorizing the issuance and use of so-called “Virtual driver’s licenses” by designing and accessing a mobile application. It became Law 141-2020.

The application will have the license, which will be related to all mobile operating systems available in the market, and the Department of Transportation and Public Works (DTOP) It shall develop and apply the computer programs, procedures, rules, documentation and associated data that are necessary to certify the identity of the users. This is either the owner of the virtual driver’s license or the government authorities that require it through the use of numeric codes and technology focused on privacy and for other related purposes.

“With this law, the issuance and use of virtual driving licenses is authorized, which will be obtained through a mobile application or‘ app ’. DTOP and the Government Information and Innovation Office (PRITS) were already working to implement this format, but the approval of this legislation for these purposes was lacking. Drivers can now have their license on their mobile phone, which has the same validity as the physical driver’s license. It will be available to anyone who requests it, and contains the information of the people in Spanish and English. This measure represents a step forward with the proper use of technology for the benefit of all citizens, ”said the first executive.

The driver’s license mobile application will contain a three-dimensional image of the driver, in addition to name, address, date of birth, gender, blood type, whether or not an organ donor, identification number, type of license, designation of veterans for those who qualify, as well as applicable restrictions if any, and dates of dispatch and of expiration.

This measure, presented by the representatives José E. Meléndez Ortiz and José O. González Mercado, establishes that every person who has been issued a virtual driver’s license must carry the wireless communication device that contains said application with them while driving a motor vehicle on public roads.

The DTOP will promulgate within a period of 180 days from the approval of the measure, the necessary regulations and procedures.