Victoria will pilot digital driving licences in Ballarat in a groundbreaking move towards modernising government-issued identification before rolling it out statewide. The new digital driver licence will constantly refresh a unique QR code giving the customer control over the level of personal information shared.
Motorists living in the regional town of Ballarat will be the first Victorians to test the scheme to take place as a six-month trial before a statewide rollout by 2024.’
According to an official statement released by the State Government of Victoria, drivers in Ballarat will soon have the option to store their digital driver’s license on either the Service Victoria app or the upcoming VicRoads app.
Starting in June, residents of Ballarat, a regional city in Victoria, Australia, will have the opportunity to register for the digital driver’s license pilot program.
The new license will possess advanced security features and will be regularly updated in real-time. The electronic variant will also display any suspension or revocation of the license, while still enabling the user to verify their age or identity.
By transitioning to digital, motorists will have the ability to instantly update their licenses if there is a need to add a condition or modify their address.
Furthermore, the updated system will provide information on any suspensions or cancellations linked to the license, and it will include a QR code that can be scanned by police or license validators to confirm its legitimacy.
“This is world-class technology – the digital driver‘s licence has a constantly refreshed unique QR code and the customer has control over the level of personal information shared,” Government Services Minister Danny Pearson said.
Although drivers who have obtained a full license can use their digital license to gain access to a restricted area or to show it to an officer during a traffic stop, it is still recommended that they carry a physical copy of the license.
However, drivers with L-plates and probationary licenses are still required to carry their physical licenses since it is an obligation under Victorian law.
Part of the Ballarat trial will include the Government seeking feedback from participants in regards to whether the system is accessible and secure.
Roads and Road Safety Minister Melissa Horne emphasised the significance of the trial, saying that the government knows Victorians want digital driver’s licenses, and the trial is a critical step before a further rollout.
“A digital driver’s licence will make it easier and more convenient for Victorian motorists and it will help businesses and authorities to verify identity with minimum time and fuss,” she said
The digital driver’s license is expected to simplify and streamline the process for Victorian motorists, and it will assist businesses and authorities in verifying identity with minimal hassle and time.
Despite this, it’s still recommended for fully licensed drivers to carry a physical copy of their license, and L-plate and probationary license holders are required to carry their physical license under Victorian law.
As the Queensland Government is expanding its current digital licensing trial, some selected residents in Townsville are already participating in the scheme.
It’s expected that the digital licensing will be introduced statewide by the end of this year, following a pilot program that was conducted on the Fraser Coast in 2020.
