General News
15 April, 2024
Digital licenses coming for local drivers
The State Government has announced full drivers license holders will have the option of a digital drivers licence, with implementation set for this May. The state will join South Australia, New South Wales and Queensland in providing the service...
The State Government has announced full drivers license holders will have the option of a digital drivers licence, with implementation set for this May.
The state will join South Australia, New South Wales and Queensland in providing the service following a trial rollout in Ballarat in July last year where 15,000 residents accessed their digital licence on the myVicRoads or Service Victoria app.
The Victorian Government has stated that consultations with organisations and industries who rely on photo identification such as Australian Post, Victorian Police, car rentals, hotels and bars will remain ongoing to ensure they are ready for the rollout.
The government has also assured the digital licence apps have undergone rigorous privacy and security testing, with 90 second QR codes and dynamic holograms aiming to verify authenticity.
Experts and residents have raised safety concerns about the service as hackers gained access to more than 2600 mySA GOV accounts in 2021, compromising digital licences, and invitations to the
Ballarat rollout included incorrect surnames cited by VicRoads as a system error.
Minister for Roads and Road Safety Melissa Horne said the state-wide rollout will make identification simple.
“Our digital driver licences will make it easier for Victorians when they go about their day-to-day lives — whether that’s driving around, renting a car, collecting a parcel, or visiting a licensed venue,” she said.
Reiterating Ms Horne’s statements, Minister for Government Services Gabrielle Williams said the process will be similar to other digital identification cards.
“Victorians have been asking us for a digital driver licence — and from next month millions of Victorians can access them on their phones alongside other government-issued cards like a Working with Children Check, seniors card or fishing licence,” she said.
The rollout will not replace current licences as all licence holders will continue to be issued with a physical card which are still valid for identification.
Learner and probationary licence holders will be implemented into the program by 2025.
To find out more, go to the VicRoads or Service Victoria website.