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AUDIT: DPS may have issued TX driver's licenses to ineligible applicants

An audit report released by the Texas State Auditor's Office this month said DPS "does not have sufficient controls over its processes for issuing driver's licenses and identification cards."

AUSTIN — An audit report released by the Texas State Auditor's Office this month said the Texas Department of Public Safety "does not have sufficient controls over its processes for issuing driver's licenses and identification cards."

According to the report, DPS did not have sufficient controls to ensure that it collected or retained all required documentation to support verification of applicants' eligibility.

The audit found there was missing documentation required to obtain a license or identification card for numerous applicants screened between Sept. 1, 2016, and Feb. 28, 2018. Specifically, the report said, documentation was missing for 15 of 60 non-commercial license and identification card applicants; and for 24 of the 60 commercial licenses issued.

Examples of the missing required documents included applications, proof of Social Security numbers, proof of residency in Texas, thumbprint scans and skill test results.

Additionally, the report said auditors identified significant weaknesses in the department's controls over access to the information in its drivers license system. It also said the department lacked a sufficient process in place to detect employee misuse of drivers license information. Those weaknesses, the report said, placed drivers license date at risk of unauthorized and/or inappropriate access, use and modification,

The auditors made recommendations to address the issues identified through the audit including collecting and retaining documentation to support eligibility, as well as regular reviews by regional offices.

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