| Media item | |
| | Got ID? Phone it in | Herald Sun,
Melbourne
by Mitch Clarke
| 09 May 2023 | | General News - Page 8 - 482 words - ID 1844022275 - Photo: No - Type: News Item - Size: 246.00cm2 | |
Vic finally trials digital licences
Victorian motorists will soon be able to upload their driver's licences to their smart phone, six years after it was rolled out in a neighbouring state.
The Andrews government has announced a six-month trial of the paperless permits to begin in Ballarat in July before a full statewide rollout including for learners and probationary drivers next year.
The new technology will allow motorists to store digital versions of their driver's licences in the Service Victoria app or the soon-to-be launched myVicRoads app.
The digital card will reveal if a licence has been revoked or suspended, but can still be used to prove identity or age when not active.
The licence will have a timed QR code that can be scanned by licence validators such as businesses, police and other authorities to verify authenticity and prevent fraudulent use.
But the application will allow users to hide their addresses and show only their dates of birth to ensure privacy when using it as ID.
Government Services Minister Danny Pearson said the security of personal information was the highest priority.
"So, for example, if I don't really want the bouncer to know where I live, you can just basically show that 'yes, here it is, a green tick, I'm over 18'," he said.
"If you're dealing with Victoria Police and it's a licensing matter or they pull you over, again they are going to be able to have full access to your driving history and be able to look at it." Victorian Automotive Chamber of Commerce chief executive Geoff Gwilym said industry welcomed the digitisation of government administrative services, but said traditional licences needed to also remain.
"Ultimately any new process that improves productivity and customer usability has to be a good thing," he said.
"As long as there is a safety net for the less digitally capable and for those with a disability then it looks like a positive step forward." Mr Pearson said digitising licences was about giving consumers choice and wouldn't result in an end to cards.
"I love my parents deeply, they are great people, but they're not great, so much, on tech," he said. "The idea of saying to my father, 'You've now got to have your licence on your phone,' I think he would really struggle with that." South Australia first rolled out digital driving licences in 2017, with NSW following two years later. Mr Pearson blamed the pandemic for halting Victoria's progress.
It is unclear whether drivers who switch to the mobile technology will get discounts on licence renewals since VicRoads will have to print and send out fewer plastic cards.
Full-licence holders can register their interest to take part in the Ballarat trial from next month. Feedback from the trial will be provided by motorists, retailers, licensed venues, Victoria Police and places where a licence is used as proof of identity.
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