The Examiner reports on a new DMV program that would install SmarTrip chips into every new D.C. driver’s license and identification card beginning in October, 2008.

The program is a combined effort by the agency and WMATA, the latter of which has made no secret of its intention to make universal conversion to SmarTrip a priority. Recently Metro General Manager John Catoe made SmarTrip cards available for sale at more Giant Food stores and announced his desire to do away with the $5 fee eventually in order to encourage all residents to use the cards, which reduce waiting times on buses and at Metrorail fare gates.

The Examiner quotes a couple of civil libertarian groups who are upset with the plan, and are voicing concerns about the potential use of the technology to track individual movements through the public transportation system. Metro insists it has very strict privacy rules in place that prevent it from releasing information from SmarTrip cards except to law enforcement or at the individual’s request.

We’re no fans of potential government invasions of personal privacy, but we’re not really sure we see the difference between using a registered SmarTrip card and having one linked to your driver’s license. What do you think?