LONDON, September 17 /PRNewswire/ --

- With Photo

De La Rue Identity Systems today announced that it is supplying the New York State DMV(1) with the solution to issue its new WHTI(2) compliant Enhanced Driver License (EDL). A combination of advanced anti-counterfeit and security technologies ensures the new driver license is at the forefront of today's identity management solutions. The EDL includes a range of pre-printed security features on both the front and back of the card and incorporates a radio frequency identification tag (RFID) and antenna. The EDL will be issued alongside the existing New York State driver license which is also supplied by De La Rue Identity Systems. The existing license is one of the top three contracts in terms of issuing volumes in the United States and is acknowledged to be among the most secure license documents currently available.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080917/321282 )

The EDL will be issued from 16 September 2008 to US citizens with New York State residency. It is expected to be the largest EDL scheme, in terms of volumes, in the country. It can be used in place of passports for travel by land or sea to Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Bermuda. New York State is expected to benefit economically as the EDL will allow faster and easier movement of people and trade at the New York State - Canadian border, while border security will also be increased.

The EDL will be valid for a period of eight years from the date of issue, subject to the type of license, with combined volumes of around five million per year expected for the EDL and existing license. The application process will follow that of the existing driver license, which uses De La Rue's MIDIS(TM)(3) technology for enrolment, data capture and audit control at 120 New York State DMV offices around the state. MIDIS document issuing software is already operational in more than 750 locations for more than 50 government customers worldwide, providing a total solution for the secure issuing of national identity documents. The EDL is made from the same material as the existing license to ensure that it has the same look and feel. This material has been extensively developed by De La Rue to satisfy all the security and durability requirements of critical government ID card programmes.

De La Rue is proud to work with New York State DMV to successfully deliver one of the first EDL programmes in the United States which will offer New York citizens a more secure license and facilitate easier cross border travel. Jim Richards, Director of Sales at De La Rue Identity Systems confirmed this view, "We are delighted to receive this Enhanced Driver License contract. Our focus has been and continues to be on security, quality performance and continual product innovation, factors which have proved important in our long-term partnership with New York State Department of Motor Vehicles."

Notes to Editors

About De La Rue Identity Systems

(1) De La Rue Identity Systems has successfully implemented over 50 secure identity document schemes covering every continent.

(2) We have delivered a driver license solution to NYSDMV for over 12 years.

(3) We are involved in a wide range of projects including ePassports for the Bahamas and the State of Qatar, the New York State driving license and national ID cards for Chile, Senegal, Rwanda and Sierra Leone.

(4) De La Rue produced its first passport (for the UK Government) in 1915.

(5) Backed by many years experience in designing and producing passports De La Rue Identity Systems experts act as advisers to ICAO and ISO, helping to define passport standards and electronic infrastructure.

(6) We have also contributed to the activities of other international organisations including: Interpol, the United Nations, the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) and the Comité Interamericano Contra el Terrorismo (CICTE).

About De La Rue

De La Rue is the world's largest commercial security printer and papermaker, involved in the production of over 150 national currencies and a wide range of security documents such as passports, authentication labels and fiscal stamps. The Company is a leading provider of cash sorting equipment and software solutions to central banks, helping them to reduce the cost of handling cash. De La Rue also pioneers new technologies in government identity solutions for national identification, driver's licence and passport issuing schemes. De La Rue employs over 4,000 people worldwide and is a member of the FTSE 250. Its ordinary shares are listed with the UK Listing Authority and trade on the market for listed securities on the London Stock Exchange under the symbol DLAR.

MIDIS(TM) is a trademark of De La Rue International Limited.

(1) Department of Motor Vehicles

(2) Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative

(3) Multiple Identity Document Issuing System

Note to Editors:

A picture accompanying this release is available through the PA Photowire. It can be downloaded from http://www.pa-mediapoint.press.net or viewed at http://www.mediapoint.press.net or http://www.prnewswire.co.uk.

For further information and imagery of De La Rue's Enhanced Driver License solution please contact: Claire Burrows, Marketing Manager, De La Rue Identity Systems, claire.c.burrows@uk.delarue.com, tel: +44(0)1256-605443; For further information on NYSDMV contact Greg Kline, Deputy Commissioner for Administration, New York State DMV, tel: +1-518-474-6876 or e-mail: GKlin@dmv.state.ny.us