“We know Victorians want digital driver licences and that’s why this trial is such a big step before further rollout occurs,” Minister for Roads and Road Safety Melissa Horne said in a statement. Ballarat, which was chosen for the trial due to its “population size and the great mix of businesses and venues”, will be used to “refine” the trial process.įeedback from motorists, licenced venues and other retailers, as well as Victoria Police, will be sought following the trial, with suggestions to be incorporated into any future state-wide rollout. Trials are also expected to take place in other locations at a later date, according to VicRoads. The trial will be expanded to learner and provisional licence holders from September. The licence will also update in real-time to reflect any changes, such as a change of address or new licence conditions, and will be useable as a proof of identity even if the licence is revoked or cancelled.įull licence holders residing in Ballarat will be able to sign up for the pilot from June, in preparation for the start of the trial in July.

Victoria’s digital driver’s licence – which will be accessible through the Service Victoria app or the soon-to-be-launched VicRoads app – will include new security features, including a timed QR code that can used by police and business to verify authenticity and prevent fraudulent use. Since then, the New South Wales and Queensland governments have also either introduced or begun trialling digital driver’s licences with motorists, as a precursor to the digitisation of other credentials. The planned trial and state-wide rollout of the new technology, announced on Monday, comes more than five years after the first digital driver’s licences were introduced by the South Australian government. Victoria will become the fourth jurisdiction to introduce digital driver’s licences, with the state government to trial the plastic card alternative in the regional city of Ballarat in July before a state-wide rollout next year.

All in the Cards by Rebecca Cohen