Major driver's licence change official for millions of Aussies
Victoria will become the fourth state to adopt the initiative, meaning millions of residents will be able to download a digital ID from next month.
More than four million road users will be able to leave their wallet at home with Victoria to become the latest state to officially allow motorists to rely on a digital version of their driver's licence.
The move – which follows several other states including NSW, Queensland and South Australia – comes in the wake of a six month trial in which 15,000 Ballarat residents download their licences to the Service Victoria or myVicRoads app.
Now, the initiative will be officially rolled out to drivers statewide from next month, Minister for Roads Melissa Horne announced on Saturday.
More than 4.5 million fully licensed drivers will be first eligible for the switch, followed by learners and p-platers by 2025.
The digital licence will reflect in real-time whether it has been revoked or suspended and can be used as proof of identity. Police, businesses and other authorities will be able to verify its authenticity through a timed QR code. Consultation with organisations that rely on photo identification including bars, restaurants, retailers and police will ramp up throughout April, ahead of the change.
"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," Ms Horne said.
Queenslanders most recently joined the trend with residents in the sunshine state able to rely on the digital ID cards from November, despite a glitch delaying the rollout. South Australia launched its digital licences all the way back in 2017, followed by NSW two years later.
Victorian Minister for Government Services Gabrielle Williams said drivers in the state had been calling on the government to follow other states' lead.
"Victorians have been asking us for a digital driver licence," she said.
"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."
How to download digital driver's licence
Victorians who have downloaded either the VicRoads or Services Victoria app will automatically receive their digital licence through their app once it has been processed in May.
The licences can be updated in real-time if there are changes to licence conditions or personal information like home addresses.
The transition to the digital version has involved lengthy privacy and security testing, the state government said.
with AAP
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