Members of a Hutterite colony near Three Hills, Alta., say they will drive without being licensed if the government mandates photos on driving licences.

In July, after a lengthy legal battle, the Supreme Court sided with the Alberta government in a 4-3 decision, saying pictures on driving licences are required for security purposes.

The Hutterites have argued their religious beliefs prohibit them from having pictures taken of their faces. The religious group says requiring Alberta drivers to have pictures on their licences is a violation of their freedom of religion.

Interim licences without pictures, which the province issued while the dispute was before the courts, are beginning to expire.

Sam Wurz, the Three Hills Colony manager, said Hutterite members need the licences to carry on their farming businesses and to provide for their families.

He said members of the colony face a tough choice.

"What are you going to do? You're at the mercy of a government which will not reason with us and we have to obey the government," he said.

"We even pray for our government every evening in our church, but if the government puts a yoke on your neck and wants more than our religion will allow us to do, then we have to obey God more than man, and if they lock us up in jail I guess we'll be locked up in jail."

Wurz said the government has rejected all attempts at a compromise.

He said Hutterites have a long history of disobeying laws that violate their beliefs, regardless of penalties.