29 April 2009

Border licences called a 'botch-up'

The following is extracted from today's edition of the “Toronto Star”.

Motorists hoping to get one of Ontario's new enhanced security driver's licences before the June 1 deadline for U.S. land border crossings may be disappointed – or better off getting a passport, suggests Transportation Minister Jim Bradley.

While the licences will go into production next month, it's likely only "some" drivers will get the optional cards in time for the tighter border rules, Bradley said yesterday.

Details of how to apply have not been announced, but motorists will have to fill out applications and schedule interviews with officials to be properly vetted before the licences are issued – at an additional fee of $40 on top of a standard driver's licence renewal fee of $75.

The combined fee of $115 exceeds the $87 fee for an adult passport, Bradley acknowledged. He had promised last year that the cost would be "less than a passport."….