CALGARY, (Aug. 8, 2003) — In an attempt to make its provincial driver’s license more secure, Alberta Transport will now take a driver’s old license away and issue a temporary card without a picture and a statement it is not to be used for identification. The new process is similar to systems in Ontario, Quebec, and British Columbia.

While the Alberta Motor Transport Association applauds the new system, it is warning new drivers and those renewing their license that the change has created problems for people using their license for identification — especially at border crossings. It is illegal to carry an old license or photocopy until the new one arrives in the mail.

The AMTA is advising commercial drivers going to the U.S. to bring along a either Canadian passport, a Canadian Citizenship Card, a Permanent Residency Card, or obtain a FAST (Free and Secure Trade) card.