Overview
ISO/IEC 18013-2:2020/Amd 1:2023 is an amendment to the second edition of the international standard ISO/IEC 18013-2:2020, which specifies machine-readable technologies for ISO-compliant driving licences. This amendment focuses on the DG11 length for compact encoding, enhancing the data group length specification for efficient and standardized encoding of driving licence information.
The standard is developed by ISO and IEC's Joint Technical Committee ISO/IEC JTC 1, SC 17, which specializes in cards and security devices for personal identification. The amendment supports implementations of compact encoding, particularly useful where limited memory capacity exists, such as on RFID cards, 2D bar codes, and integrated circuit cards.
Key Topics
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Compact Encoding Enhancements
The amendment updates the compact encoding scheme by specifying that Data Group 11 (DG11) must explicitly include its length. This improves data parsing and reader compatibility, ensuring robust handling of identification data.
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Data Group Structure
The amendment introduces refined syntax for the sequence of data groups within the encoded driving licence data:
[header] × [DG1] × [DG2] × [DG3] × [DG4] × [DG7] × [DG11] × [DG12] × [DG.SOD.1] × [DG.SOD.H]¶
where DG.SOD.1 and DG.SOD.H relate to digital signatures and hash values, conforming to ISO/IEC 18013-3.
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Backward Compatibility
A deprecated Version 01 of compact encoding is retained informatively in Annex E for manufacturers and readers supporting older issued cards, promoting smooth transition and continued interoperability.
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Encoding Rules and Character Sets
Compact encoding uses a combination of delimiter-based parsing for Type 1 data groups (fixed sequences with end-of-field markers) and length-prefixed fields for Type 2 data groups (which may contain delimiters internally as data). Data is encoded primarily using ASN.1 length definitions and ISO/IEC 8859-1 character sets, with binary objects encoded as appropriate.
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Examples and Use Cases
Detailed examples demonstrate encoding logic for a hypothetical licence holder, illustrating field delimiters, ASN.1 length indicators, and inclusion of biometric and image data within the data groups.
Applications
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Driving Licence Issuing Authorities
Enables standardized issuance and data interoperability of ISO-compliant driving licences with machine-readable compact encoding, suitable for digital storage constraints.
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Card Manufacturing and Reader Development
Provides manufacturers with precise encoding rules, including mandatory length inclusion for DG11, to ensure readers correctly authenticate and parse licence data.
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Security and Authentication Systems
Integration with ISO/IEC 18013-3 for digital signatures and hash values enhances data integrity and security verification of personal identification on driving licences.
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Biometric Data Handling
Supports incorporation of biometric information such as portrait images and fingerprint minutiae within compact encoded licence data groups, facilitating modern identification technologies.
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Cross-Border Recognition
Harmonizes electronic driving licence formats globally, facilitating recognition by border control, law enforcement, and other agencies, improving international traffic safety and regulation.
Related Standards
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ISO/IEC 18013-1
Specifies general data elements and physical characteristics of ISO-compliant driving licences.
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ISO/IEC 18013-3
Defines security architecture and mechanisms for authentication and verification of the machine-readable driving licence data, including digital signatures referenced in this amendment.
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ISO/IEC 7816 Series
Covers integrated circuit cards management and data security, providing foundational guidelines relevant to smart card implementation.
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ISO/IEC 19794 Series
Standardizes biometric data interchange formats, applicable to biometric templates included in the driving licence data groups.
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W3C Verifiable Credentials
Offers frameworks for digital identity verification which complement ISO digital driving licence standards by enabling broader identity management applications.
By adhering to ISO/IEC 18013-2:2020/Amd 1:2023, stakeholders ensure secure, interoperable, and efficient machine-readable encoding of driving licences with compact encoding optimized for scenarios constrained by storage capacity. This enhances global personal identification systems, supporting the future of digital mobility and identity verification.
Open preview (PDF)Personal identification — ISO-compliant driving licence — Part 2: Machine-readable technologies — Amendment 1: DG11 length for compact encoding