Lawmakers submit bill proposing virtual driver’s license
Rep. José Enrique Meléndez, who along with Rep Ramón Luis Cruz-Burgos, authored the bill.
A pair of lawmakers presented Thursday a bill to amend the Puerto Rico Vehicle and Traffic Law to authorize the issuance, creation and use of the so-called virtual driver’s license, which would entail designing a mobile application to provide access.
House Bill 2339 explains that following the approval of the Electronic Government Act, the Commonwealth adopted as public policy incorporating new technologies into public programs and services to reduce the time it takes to complete a transaction and operating costs of the agencies, as well as facilitate monitoring and implementation of solutions to citizen needs that allow the government to provide better quality services.
That said, the measure seeks to establish virtual driver’s licenses through apps that citizens can access via their mobile devices. The technology, which is already being used in Iowa and Delaware, was designed initially for employment purposes, for banking, retail and other services.
In Puerto Rico, the mobile application would at first help citizens cut their needs to go to Department of Motor Vehicle offices, would lower the costs of operating those agencies, could be used to add other government services, and would eliminate the purchase and use of plastic cards that are not environmentally friendly.
“The implementation of virtual licenses through the development of a secure mobile app that ensures the privacy of citizens would put Puerto Rico at the forefront of technology and would expand digital services offered by the government,” said Rep. José Enrique Meléndez, who along with Rep Ramón Luis Cruz-Burgos, authored the bill.
“We need to move forward with the implementation of innovative services that help our citizens receive services faster and more efficiently. Our island has to be at the same level as other countries and cities that continue evolving by implementing new technologies,” said Meléndez.
