VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION AND SECURE OPERATING PROGRAM

A method to authenticate operators of motor vehicles includes obtaining, based on a driver's license, operator information of an operator of a motor vehicle. The method further includes authenticating, by a Vehicle Identification and Secure Operating Program (VISOP) running on an onboard computer of the motor vehicle, the operator information with a Motor Vehicle Department (MVD). The method determines, based on the authenticating and vehicle identifying information pertaining to the motor vehicle, whether the operator is approved to operate the motor vehicle. The method performs biometric identification to verify that the driver's license matches the operator. The method prevents the motor vehicle from starting, responsive to the operator not being approved to operate the motor vehicle, and allows the motor vehicle to start, responsive to the operator being approved to operate the motor vehicle. The motor vehicle can include the VMAC when wirelessly transmitting operator information and vehicle identifying information for self-reporting to a passing LEO, e.g., to Law Enforcement Officers (LEOs). This enables LEOs to make safer decisions in pulling over a potential suspect to better protect the public and themselves.