P.E.I. and the other Atlantic provinces are changing the way they issue driver's licences to upgrade security and increase uniformity.

Right now, provincial service centres print licences on-site and drivers walk out with their new card in hand.

Under the new central-issuance system, people will have to wait seven to 10 days to receive their new ID's in the mail.

As equipment's getting older the quality of the card is different from office to office and printer to printer. - Graham Miner, Director of Highway Safety for P.E.I.

The four provinces entered into a contract worth $11.5 million with Gemalto to produce licences at a Burlington, Ont. facility.

Graham Miner, Director of Highway Safety for P.E.I., said the deal will help save the Atlantic provinces money.

"It's the lowest cost for the four jurisdictions to do it together."

'More uniformity'

The Atlantic provinces currently issue licences immediately on-site by using printers that are in the offices.

According to Miner, the printers in the various offices may not produce the same quality of licences.

"As equipment's getting older the quality of the card is different from office to office and printer to printer," he said.

The card will look very crisp and clean and sharp in its imagery. - Graham Miner, Director of Highway Safety for P.E.I.

Using a central-issuing system "adds more uniformity to the cards themselves."

"Atlantic Canada is the only location left in Canada that was doing over-the-counter and that technology is old and outdated."

Higher security

Miner said that the main reason for the shift was added security for driver's licences.

The photos will be in black-and-white and will be laser-engraved onto the new tamper-proof cards, and micro-printing similar to what is on bank notes will also be a new addition.

Miner said with higher security comes heightened confidence in the integrity of the licences from other provinces.

"You have to have a level of quality and security features for other jurisdictions that they're going to accept the card," he said.

"The card will look very crisp and clean and sharp in its imagery."

Miner said the new system won't be in place until December or early in 2018.