Abstract: A card reader contains an admission chamber, a fixed guide path, including card feeding rollers, and a read station for a magnetic track of a data bearing identification card. The read station and idler wheel are on opposite sides of a card guide path. The read station comprises first and second heads, respectively mounted to turn about first and second parallel axes that extend in the same direction as the guide path. Shafts defining the first and second axes are mounted at the extremities of first and second swing arms positioned on opposite sides of the heads. The swing arms are mounted to turn about a third axis that extends toward the guide path. A shaft defining the third axis is carried on a bifurcated bracket, mounted to rotate about a fourth axis that also extends in the guide path direction. A tension spring exerts a force on the bifurcated bracket to hold the heads constantly against a face of the car as it travels through a nip formed between the heads and a drive roller.