MOPT Loses Driver License Blanks, Proposes BCR Issue Licenses
Need a driver's license and don't want to wait in line or haven't passed the driving exam? No need to worry, licenses may be available on the street, as the Ministerio de Obras Públicas y Transportes (MOPT) has learned that10.500 blank plastic cards and the laminating security seal it uses to issue driver licenses, have gone missing.

In addition, come next year, new drivers won't have to make the long lines at the driving license centre in San José, they can go to any Banco de Costa Rica branch to be issued a license.

An audit of the MOPT storage room found the 10.500 blanks missing, along with a number of road signs used by the Dirección General de Educación Vial.

Karla González, minister of Transportes, showed her concern of the situation as the missing material can be used to produce phoney licenses, well, licenses that are not registered with the Dirección General de Educación Vial.

The problem is even worse than it appears, since the audit shows that the blanks went missing between 2003 and 2006, though the missing cards were just discovered.

The auditors report says that the MOPT does not have sufficient security controls to restrict entrance to the storage room and safely store the blanks, the security seals and special ink used to print. The report says that the key to the store room was with a common set of keys available to just about anyone at the MOPT.

The MOPT in the face of the problem has proposed that the Banco de Costa Rica (BCR) be in charge of safe keeping of the plastic cards. The bank, under the proposal, would also be responsible to take fotos of the drivers to be used on the license and also print and deliver the license to their owners.

The MOPT would still be responsible to renew license and approve new drivers, however, the bank would actually issue the driver's licenses.

Minister González explained the system similar to the current one used by banks and supermarkets to issue the annual "marchamo" - vehicular circulation permit.

If the proposal is accepted by the BCR, it would begin in operation in the next year and licenses could be issued at any BCR branch across the country. A new driver would only have to go the bank with proof of a drivers exam and get a new license.

The plan, according to the minister González, would cost drivers a little more for their license, but it would avoid that more plastic cards are lost and makes the licensing process more "transparent".