Gemalto inks driver license deal

The Norwegian authorities have contracted Gemalto to provide its polycarbonate cards, based on Setec technology, for driver’s licenses in Norway. The four-year contract, which comes into force in January 2007, includes an option for two additional years.

Under the terms of the deal, Gemalto will supply the Norwegian Directorate of Public Roads with the cards, which contain secure print features such as micro-text, UV-sensitive ink and rainbow printing. Gemalto will also personalise the cards locally in Norway using laser-engraving techniques, and will be responsible for direct mailing them to end-users.

Norway currently issues an estimated 250,000 driver’s licenses per year.

“After selecting us for the deployment of the ePassport program, this decision is a demonstration of trust and confidence in our secure ID solutions,” says Jacques Seneca, president Europe at Gemalto. “This extended agreement illustrates the consistency and quality of the work done over the years and of the trusted relationship we have built with the Norwegian authorities.”

This latest deal follows Gemalto’s contract wins for driver license and vehicle registration technology in El Salvador, Finland and India.