Changes in driving permits: New security features, expiry period

Transport and works minister Gen Katumba Wamala has announced new changes to Uganda’s driving permits, including inclusion of new security features and a longer expiry date.

The announcement came days before  Uganda Security Printing Company (USPC) officially replaces South African firm Face Technologies to handle the issuance of driving permits.

Gen Katumba Wamala told reporters at the Uganda Media Centre in Kampala on February 24 that government would fully own the process of design, production and issuance of driving permits.

Consequently, software such as source codes will belong to government.

He noted that Uganda was making a shift from the current Uganda Computerized Driving System to the Uganda Driving Licences System.

New security features

The new driving permits will have an identification number for the issuer, and will also include the owner’s national identification card or passport details.

Gen Katumba Wamala further revealed that the new permits will include “very sophisticated security features that are hard to forge.”

They will also be “tightly integrated with the Police systems for easy verification and issuance of express penalties by the traffic police gadgets at various checkpoints.”

The minister explained that the new system was “more sophisticated and allows for issuance of the new driving licences that are more internationally recognized.”

This recognition involves meeting International Organization for Standardization (ISO) requirements.

It also involves fulfilling requirements for the Tripartite Transport and Transit Facilitation Program(TTFP) as three regional blocks seek to have a single harmonized card.

These regions are the East African Community (EAC), Southern African Development Community (SADC) and Southern African Development Community (Comesa).

This means that drivers issued with the new driving permits “will be able to drive through any of the member countries with less restriction.”

Also noteworthy is that the permits will be valid for five years, after which they will be renewed.

The minister further noted that there will be a special professional permit for commercial vehicles that carry more than eight passengers, as well as for those that carry goods weighing over 3,500 kilograms.