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British Columbia working on a passport alternative

British Columbia is developing a new high-tech driver's license that could be used as a passport alternative to enter the US by land and sea, officials said.

A new pilot program will involve 500 volunteers who agree to share personal information with Canadian and US authorities, British Columbia Premier Gordon Campbell said on Monday.

The licenses are a response to US security measures that require valid passports for land and water crossings. Beginning next month, Canadians will have to present proof of citizenship when entering.

Passports provide that but traditional driver's licenses -- which have been the key requirement for entry -- do not.

The enhanced licenses will look similar to current ones but will be embedded with a radio frequency identification chip that can be scanned at border crossings.

"The new enhanced driver's license will confirm both the holder's identity and Canadian citizenship and can be used at land and water border crossings in place of a passport," Campbell said.

The license can only be used at land and sea crossings and passports will still be required to fly into the US.

Campbell said that once an assessment is done on the pilot project, the new licenses could be rolled out to British Columbians as early as 2009.

Officials hope the licenses can help speed the crossing into the US, which has slowed because of stepped up security since the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.
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