ISO/IEC 18013-2:2020

Overview

ISO/IEC 18013-2:2020 defines the machine‑readable technologies and data model for an ISO‑compliant driving licence (IDL). The standard specifies which data elements are mandatory or optional, the logical data structure (data groups), and encoding rules for currently supported card technologies. Its goals are to increase productivity, enable reliable electronic data exchange, and assist authenticity and integrity validation of driving licences while protecting holder privacy through basic access protection for contactless integrated circuits.

Key topics and technical requirements

• Machine‑readable data: Specifies mandatory and optional data elements used on an IDL (e.g., identity, driving privileges, licence references) and supports issuing‑authority customisation for domestic use.
• Logical data structure: Organises data into numbered Data Groups (Data Group 1-mandatory text elements; Data Groups 2–11-optional holder, issuer, biometric and domestic data).
• Encoding rules: Defines compact and standard encodings (see Annex B and C) for ICCs with contacts and PICCs (contactless cards). Image handling (Annex D) and biometric template formats follow referenced ISO/IEC imaging and biometric standards.
• Machine‑readable technologies supported: Focuses on contact and contactless integrated circuit cards (ISO/IEC 7816, ISO/IEC 14443). Magnetic stripe and optical memory are no longer supported in this edition.
• Privacy & access control: Requires basic access protection to prevent eavesdropping on contactless ICs; a human‑ and/or machine‑readable key/password on the IDL is used to open a protected channel. Detailed access/authentication mechanisms are defined in ISO/IEC 18013-3.
• Functional capabilities: Mandatory functions (e.g., verification of driving privilege, reference to driving‑privilege databases, age verification) and optional functions (identity verification, biometric authentication, document authentication, reciprocity checks).

Applications and who uses it

• Issuing authorities / motor‑vehicle agencies: Implement interoperable, machine‑readable national driving licences and domestic extensions.
• Card manufacturers & secure ID vendors: Design and encode ICC/PICC media, images and biometric templates compliant with the data structure and encoding rules.
• System integrators & software developers: Build readers and backend systems for verification, law enforcement, border control, rental agencies, and age‑restricted services.
• Law enforcement & border control: Automate verification of driving privileges and document authenticity while preserving holder privacy.

Related standards

• ISO/IEC 18013 series (Part 1: visual layout; Part 3: access control/authentication)
• ISO/IEC 7816, ISO/IEC 14443 (card interfaces)
• Biometric and image standards referenced (ISO/IEC 19794‑*, JPEG2000, PNG, sRGB)

Keywords: ISO/IEC 18013-2, machine‑readable driving licence, IDL, contactless IC, data groups, basic access protection, biometric templates, driving licence encoding.