THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, August 1, 1994 TAG: 9408010044
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS
DATELINE: RICHMOND LENGTH: Short : 50 lines
Starting Monday, Virginia driver's licenses will include a ``ghost image'' of the motorist's color photograph that's designed to make them tamper-proof.
Any attempt to change the license will alter the image and superimposed information about the driver.
``The ghost image is an example of how use of the latest technology can better protect Virginia citizens against activities where fraudulent driver's licenses are used in criminal activities,'' said Richard D. Holcomb, commissioner of the Department of Motor Vehicles.
According to state police investigators, some straw buyers of handguns formerly came to Virginia and got a state driver's license to show when making their gun purchases.
Now, however, DMV requires everyone applying for a driver's license to show proof of state residence.
State Police Superintendent Col. M. Wayne Huggins said the new license will boost the efforts of law enforcement officers in the fight against crime.
``The new license should enhance officer safety to the extent it ensures drivers are who they say they are,'' Huggins said.
Officials of the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control also welcome new license. They say the ``ghost image'' should prevent minors from altering licenses in order to buy alcoholic beverages.
In May, DMV, ABC and University of Richmond campus police teamed up to break up a student ring reproducing New York state driver's licenses in a campus dormitory, said DMV Investigator W.T. Parrish. They arrested or issued citations to 20 students.
In June, two were found guilty in Richmond General District Court on charges of fraudulent manufacturing of state driver's licenses and the other 18 were convicted of possessing fake driver's licenses.
The 20 students each were sentenced to 100 hours community service and a day in jail, Parrish said. ILLUSTRATION: ASSOCIATED PRESS photo
The new Virginia driver's license features a ``ghost image'' in the
center of the card designed to make it tamper-proof. Any attempt to
change the license will alter the image.
KEYWORDS: DRIVER IDENTIFICATION LICENSE by CNB