Victorian drivers will soon be able to carry digital driver’s licences, bringing them in line with other states and territories that have widely adopted the technology.
The initiative will begin with a trial in Ballarat before the technology is rolled out statewide by 2024, Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews announced on Monday.
“Soon you’ll be able to add your digital licence to the Service Victoria app,” Mr Andrews tweeted.
“Full licence holders will be able to use it as a digital licence, as well as proof of age in venues.”
New South Wales and South Australia both implemented digital card use in 2019.
Queensland is currently in the process of rolling out a trial in Townsville, promising to deliver statewide implementation by the end of the year.
The rollout in other states has been widely embraced by communities, with more than half of NSW licence holders using digital licences by early 2021.
Victorians will be able to store the digital version in either the Service Victoria app or the VicRoads app, which is yet to be released.
While widespread security breaches weigh more heavily on the minds of Australians following the recent slew of major cyber attacks, the Andrews government has reassured Victorians the card will have “superior security features”.
Government services minister Danny Pearson said the digital system would use “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,” he said.
The government says the card’s timed QR code can be scanned by licence validators to verify its authenticity and prevent fraudulent use, while the digital version will automatically reveal if a licence has been revoked or suspended.
Initially the pilot will only affect full licences while L and P plate drivers will still be required to carry a physical licence with them at all times.
Full licence holders in Ballarat will be able to join the trial from July this year, with residents able to sign up through the pilot on both the Service Victoria and VicRoads websites.
The government says it will engage with key business and industry leaders prior to the rollout, and will seek feedback from motorists, retailers, police and licensed venues during the Ballarat trial.
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