New tool making it easier to look up driver’s licences

A new tool is making it simpler for Manitobans to confirm if someone has a driver’s licence.

On Monday, Manitoba Public Insurance launched its licence lookup tool – an online platform where individuals, businesses and organizations can check if someone has a valid licence.

With this system, Manitobans can enter someone’s licence number and receive basic information about the validity and class of the licence, as well as any restrictions that individual may be subject to.

Maria Campos, MPI’s vice president and chief customer and project officer, emphasized that the tool prioritizes privacy as the search can only be conducted by licence number. She added it won’t provide any personal information.

“MPI will not provide a driver’s licence number to anyone,” she said in a news release.

“Licence Lookup users will only have access to a person’s driver’s licence number if the licence holder gives it to them.”

Before the creation of the licence lookup tool, confirming the validity of a licence required an in-person visit to an MPI service centre.

The tool is available online.