In a digital age where convenience is king, Australians are witnessing a significant shift in how they carry out everyday activities, including driving.

One state is set to join the ranks of the others by officially allowing over four million motorists a new option for their driver's licence.

From May, Victoria's Minister for Roads, Melissa Horne, announced that the option to use a digital version of driver's licence will be rolled out statewide, signalling a new era of digital integration for road users.

This move, which has been successfully trialled for six months in Ballarat with 15,000 participants, is a game-changer for drivers who are accustomed to the traditional plastic card.

The change will be beneficial for more than 4.5 million fully licensed eligible drivers.

Victoria announced the option to use a digital version of driver’s licence for more than 4.5 million eligible drivers starting May 2024. Credits: Shutterstock

The digital licence isn't just a static image; it's a dynamic, real-time reflection of the driver's status, indicating clearly if the licence has been revoked or suspended.

This innovative feature will ensure that the information is always up-to-date, providing peace of mind for both the licence holder and those who need to verify its authenticity, such as police and businesses.

Verification will be made secure and straightforward through the use of a timed QR code, which can be scanned to confirm the licence's validity.

The convenience of having a digital driver's licence extends beyond just driving as it can also be used as proof of identity starting this month, streamlining processes that require photo identification.

As we approach the official change, consultations with key stakeholders, including bars, restaurants, retailers, and law enforcement, will intensify to ensure a smooth transition.

'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 stated, highlighting the practical benefits of this technological advancement.

The digital trend is not new to Australia, with Queensland, South Australia, and New South Wales already embracing digital IDs.

South Australia was the pioneer, launching its digital licences in 2017, with NSW following suit two years later.

Queenslanders, despite a minor glitch delaying the rollout, have been able to use digital ID cards since November 2023.

Victorian Minister for Government Services, Gabrielle Williams, acknowledged the public's demand for such a service, saying, 'Victorians have been asking us for a digital driver licence.'

‘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.’

For those who have already downloaded the myVicRoads or Services Victoria app, the transition will be seamless.

The digital licence will automatically appear in the app once processed in May, and any updates to licence conditions or personal details, such as home addresses, will be reflected real-time.

Key Takeaways

• Victorians will be able to use a digital version of their driver's licence, with more than 4.5 million fully licensed drivers eligible for the change initially.
• The digital licence, which can be stored in the Service Victoria or myVicRoads app, will show real-time status updates and can be verified with a timed QR code.
• The initiative followed a successful six-month trial in Ballarat and the move by several other Australian states to digital driver's licences.
• The digital licence will be rolled out statewide starting May 2024, with consultation with relevant organisations occurring throughout April.

Have you made the switch to a digital licence yet, or are you planning to? What are your concerns or expectations? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

 

[Ingot]

For myself I am not in favour of digital licenses, I am 70plus and want to keep my plastic card... I am unsure of using mobile for anything thats connected with banking, license, medical and government... I hope its not made compolsary.

I am feeling exactly the same.
I have added a 15 min video that illustrates the negatives you will never be told.
Voluntary ... for now, but look at what's down the road for those who sign up for it.
And like the Covid Vaccination, it WILL become compulsory once the majority are sucked in.

This is just me speaking here, but government decisions cost me my 40 year Nursing Career, and my mother died 3 weeks after a booster shot. You may not feel this way, but the government is NOT your friendly, voluntary, little smiling mate! Sometimes they are loose with the truth.

 

[Ingot]

So you read the article. Including the opt in portion. It's not compulsory. You'll still have a licence to show.

"It's not compulsory."
Oh, that's a good one, mate.
The vaccines weren't compulsory either.
I'm still not allowed to work - "condition of employment."
Yet the pandemic is gone, and a different strain is circulating from the one they made the jabs from, so the current jabs are 2 yrs out of date, but "still needed."
What th' !!
And kids can't get to school or childcare unless vaccinated.
Are you sure you are keeping up with how this works?
"It will be voluntary."
Listen - everything will be compulsory by 2030, "and you will be happy."

Yeah ... Nah!

 

[Reet]

Although this won't affect me as I don't live in Victoria I think it is a bad idea. Not everyone has a mobile phone for instance and if the information is all computerised once again it is available to clever hackers to get to it. Again not everyone has a computer so how do they register for this new license? Luckily I have both a mobile phone and computer but I am careful about the information I put on each one.

 

[Ingot]

These conspiracy theories are always amusing.

I don't think the Government will be very interested that I've been shopping at Woolworths, or gone for a walk at the beach?

After having been caught up in the Optus and AHS (Medibank) private data leaks a year or 3 ago, I think your "conspiracy" comment lacks integrity. That's as kindly as I can put it mate.

So you think the system is unhackable, and you will bet your bank account on the fact that no one can hack this system?

Q: have you ever wondered why it is that spam emails can find your phone/desktop email accounts?

 

[Ingot]

Having a digital ID with your license is just the start of the Government (socialist/communist labor control of YOU

Have a look at the video I posted about the CBDC - this is exacrtly what's ahead.
I just checked, and it's been hidden, so at risk of upsetting those who have already seen it, I post it again. 15 minutes of what's coming by 2030:
.

 

[Annna]

straight from a police officer - even if you have a digital licence, you MUST ALWAYS have your PHYSICAL card with you in case they ask for it.

Intro of a digital Licence (if you opt in) suggests that you can get around with just your phone.

But the digital version is not a convenience if you must always have the card in your possession.

 

[Einkaufen]

I find it very hard to deal with this digital gadgets. Plus I use only a small flip phone. Every time some one rings me I get in a panic and the ringing stops before I am able to work out how to answer it. I always tell people to send me an email to my computer or leave a message on my home phone. I never tell any one that I have a mobile phone. I only have it with me because it has an SOS button at the back in case I have a fall.

 

[Rob44]

"It's not compulsory."
Oh, that's a good one, mate.
The vaccines weren't compulsory either.
I'm still not allowed to work - "condition of employment."
Yet the pandemic is gone, and a different strain is circulating from the one they made the jabs from, so the current jabs are 2 yrs out of date, but "still needed."
What th' !!
And kids can't get to school or childcare unless vaccinated.
Are you sure you are keeping up with how this works?
"It will be voluntary."
Listen - everything will be compulsory by 2030, "and you will be happy."

Yeah ... Nah!

According to the blood I was spitting up during Xmas despite Paxlovid pills the pandemic is not over and the Covid virus has not quietened down. It has become inconvenient to recognise the truth

 

[KaraJenna]

straight from a police officer - even if you have a digital licence, you MUST ALWAYS have your PHYSICAL card with you in case they ask for it.

And if you travel overseas as many countries will not accept a virtual one!

 

[Craig Tasker]

So if your phone breaks you can’t access your license on the road??!!

 

[Craig Tasker]

But they will know you are at Woollies and at the beach and everything you buy

 

[Craig Tasker]

how hard is it pull a card out? 5 secs

 

[Ingot]

According to the blood I was spitting up during Xmas despite Paxlovid pills the pandemic is not over and the Covid virus has not quietened down. It has become inconvenient to recognise the truth

You may have had a form of Coronavirus, but NOT SARS-CoV-2.
Coronaviruses have been around since year dot.
The Pandemic virus is history.
Pneumonia (viral and bacterial) can cause blood in the sputum.

 

[Doug Swarbrick]

I am in my 70,s my wife got me a so called smart phone,3 years ago,I just can't work it out my old Nokia did what I wanted to do, use it for calls no all this other B/S,can't teach this old dog new tricks.

 

[freedy50]

After having been caught up in the Optus and AHS (Medibank) private data leaks a year or 3 ago, I think your "conspiracy" comment lacks integrity. That's as kindly as I can put it mate.

So you think the system is unhackable, and you will bet your bank account on the fact that no one can hack this system?

Q: have you ever wondered why it is that spam emails can find your phone/desktop email accounts?

My phone is Optus and was caught up in that. And nothing has happened since.

My password manager constantly checks the dark web for beaches of my email addresses and has found some, but again nothing has happened.
People have just got to be very unlucky if their info gets hacked by scammers.

 

[Reet]

Intro of a digital Licence (if you opt in) suggests that you can get around with just your phone.

But the digital version is not a convenience if you must always have the card in your possession.

Another reason not to go digital!

 

[Rob44]

You may have had a form of Coronavirus, but NOT SARS-CoV-2.
Coronaviruses have been around since year dot.
The Pandemic virus is history.
Pneumonia (viral and bacterial) can cause blood in the sputum.

My wife having tested Covid-positive because some Covid-infected twerp didn't wear a mask when she was at the supermarket then passed Covid-19 on to me as indicated by a very solid positive Covid-19 test. The pandemic virus is by no means history and it will never be history; the virus might attenuate and become not quite so damaging, and humanity will build up immunity of some sort to Covid-19 as the generations pass. Coughing up blood, fresh, is indeed a symptom of other diseases, such as TB, but TB is not what I had. Nor was it pneumonia. It was Covid-19.

However, our politicians like to think, if that is indeed what they do do, that the pandemic has been over since December 15th, 2021. 12million Australians have proved them wrong. The present 7-day average number of cases for Australia is 757 with 452 hospitalised and 3 in ICU.

 

[Ingot]

My wife having tested Covid-positive because some Covid-infected twerp didn't wear a mask when she was at the supermarket then passed Covid-19 on to me as indicated by a very solid positive Covid-19 test. The pandemic virus is by no means history and it will never be history; the virus might attenuate and become not quite so damaging, and humanity will build up immunity of some sort to Covid-19 as the generations pass. Coughing up blood, fresh, is indeed a symptom of other diseases, such as TB, but TB is not what I had. Nor was it pneumonia. It was Covid-19.

However, our politicians like to think, if that is indeed what they do do, that the pandemic has been over since December 15th, 2021. 12million Australians have proved them wrong. The present 7-day average number of cases for Australia is 757 with 452 hospitalised and 3 in ICU.

Sorry for being abrupt earlier, Rob44.
I have a nature that fires from the hip - getting better at behaving.
I hope you have recovered fully now.

I had Covid after a visit to the optometrist July 2022.
I suspected the person was unwell, so kept the mask well-adjusted.

Lasted 8 days - headache was the worst part, then muscle pain and fatigue.
No chest symptoms at all - not a sniffle and not a cough.
But RAT test was immediate and strong.

This has had the effect of helping me to ward off respiratory illnesses ever since.
I hope it truly is a form of immunity.
I refused the jab and it cost me my job.
I will never believe the Pandemic was anything other than a Coronavirus-based flu.
The vaccine didn't work as supposed, and Pfizer has now admitted that, and are researching what went wrong.

Meanwhile, thousands of Nurses, Firies, Paramedica, Police and Doctors, Carers and so on, are unemployed.
What was initially a mandate for us all, is now written into work contracts as "Conditions of Employment."
Cunning weasels!

I can live with it - it's an issue far bigger than me, and will not affect anything that could bring justice to all those scammed into losing their jobs, homes, families, friends, as well as those that did pass away from the vaccinations.

 

[Rob44]

Sorry for being abrupt earlier, Rob44.
I have a nature that fires from the hip - getting better at behaving.
I hope you have recovered fully now.

I had Covid after a visit to the optometrist July 2022.
I suspected the person was unwell, so kept the mask well-adjusted.

Lasted 8 days - headache was the worst part, then muscle pain and fatigue.
No chest symptoms at all - not a sniffle and not a cough.
But RAT test was immediate and strong.

This has had the effect of helping me to ward off respiratory illnesses ever since.
I hope it truly is a form of immunity.
I refused the jab and it cost me my job.
I will never believe the Pandemic was anything other than a Coronavirus-based flu.
The vaccine didn't work as supposed, and Pfizer has now admitted that, and are researching what went wrong.

Meanwhile, thousands of Nurses, Firies, Paramedica, Police and Doctors, Carers and so on, are unemployed.
What was initially a mandate for us all, is now written into work contracts as "Conditions of Employment."
Cunning weasels!

I can live with it - it's an issue far bigger than me, and will not affect anything that could bring justice to all those scammed into losing their jobs, homes, families, friends, as well as those that did pass away from the vaccinations.

Thanks for your reply: it is much appreciated.


I have had 5 anti-covid vaxxes and also prefer to wear a mask in public buildings. I was 5 days short of elegibility for the sixth vaccination, which was the new version to cope with Omicron. I would agree that proper surgical N95 masks are not guaranteed to stop breathing in the virus, although can help lessen the risk, but they will do much to prevent spreading the virus by sneezes (range of fine droplets carrying a virus 26 feet or 7 metres (USA research)) as well as by coughs. I also am aware that some people can react very badly to vaccines. It is a disgrace if people are sacked for refusing to get vaccinated; there is no compulsion to have a TB or polio vaccine, or for that matter any other vaccine that I am aware of . And yes, the anti-covid vaccines are not 100% effective but if they help lessen the symptoms it is all to the good, particularly if they prevent Long-Covid from developing; that is a real , medically-proven, issue our assorted State and Federal politicians simply don't give a tinker's cuss about. The statistics there are that 10% of those who have caught Covid will suffer from that disability which can last several years and has led to a few formerly healthy people committing suicide.

 

[Greatgwr]

It's a VICTORIAN story, nothing to do with Sth Aust. But, it will eventually happen there. (like everything in SA 5yrs later).

It was introduced in SA in 2017 that's the point.