AAMVA’s technology systems allow jurisdiction members to serve their customers more easily, more safely and more securely. The Digital Image Access and Exchange program (DIAE) is just one tool at AAMVA members’ fingertips. The DIAE program enables U.S. jurisdictions to exchange images of individuals during the process of issuing a license, permit or an identification card and during the process of driver records duplicate resolution. The program leverages the Problem Driver Pointer System (PDPS) driver status request transaction to allow states to send and receive digital images. In addition to driver information, a jurisdiction participating in DIAE may request that the most recent facial image associated with the driver in question be returned.

DIAE is one of many examples of AAMVA working cooperatively with jurisdictions to design and develop solutions that meet jurisdictional needs while continuing to focus on front line staff and customer service and support. For the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration Office of Driver Services and Motor Vehicles, the DIAE program makes verifying images easy and fast, says Manager III Melony Turner. “We use the Digital Image Access and Exchange program for SPEX’s work items to ensure our photo matches the possible duplicate state. It provides an extra safeguard when resolving possible duplicates. We have also recently started using it for DHR possible duplicates. This helps us to determine if a conviction needs to be sent to the state of record or not. It is extremely beneficial to have the additional photo verification when fraud is suspected.”

Turner says the DIAE program has made completing SPEX work items and CDLIS reports much faster and easier, and it has helped prevent fraud in the jurisdiction. “DIAE is one of the biggest ways we have identified fraud,” Turner says. “We run DIAE regardless if all information matches between possible duplicate states. Documents and personally identifiable information can easily match but a photo cannot. We can upload the out-of-state photo into our facial recognition system and find additional records that were obtained fraudulently.”

Turner says the additional check with the DIAE program is fast and easy to use. “It is as simple as running all other AAMVA inquiries,” she says. “I love that you have the image within seconds. We are able to help customers faster than ever because we are not having to wait on information to make a determination if two (or more) records are the same or not. We are able to stop fraudulent activity faster since we can compare photos and records within seconds. Using DIAE, we have found several ‘fraud rings.’ One case involved a total of 25 people who were exchanging their documents and obtaining different identities in different states. Without DIAE, we would have never found this since all of their personal information and documents did match. This group of people obtained identities in five states so far.”

To successfully exchange images, both requesting and receiving jurisdictions must be DIAE participants, so the program is more effective as more states participate. Turner has a clear message for states considering participation: “Do it! DIAE is an extremely beneficial tool for all states to use. It truly helps states work faster and more efficiently. DIAE is a reliable resource to support every state’s overall mission, ‘one identity, one driver, one license and one record.’”