Correcting the record

A transgender woman who changed the name and sex designation on her driver’s licence contacted us in frustration after being told that her car insurance would now cost more. She said that in making the changes, the Ministry had given her an entirely new licence number, which was no longer connected to her previous good driving record. She complained that this meant insurers would treat her as a new, higher-risk driver.

RESULT: Ministry officials told us that driver’s licence numbers are generated in part based on a person’s name, date of birth, and gender. When a driver changes their personal information in these categories, a new driver’s licence number is issued – however, the old and new files are supposed to be merged into one driving record that is accessible to insurers. The Ministry offered to prepare a letter that the woman could share with insurers, confirming her driving experience without deadnaming her (using her pre-transition name). Ministry staff also told us they are reviewing their processes regarding the use of personal information in the assignment of driver’s licence numbers.

Read about how we helped other people in our Selected cases.