‘Safe, secure and easy’: Learners and P-platers get access to digital driver’s licence on their phones

Victorian teenagers will be able to use their phone to prove their age from this week with their very own digital driver’s licences. Here’s everything you need to know.

Teenagers will be able to use their phone to prove their age at bars or while on the road from this week, after digital licences were cleared for use by Learners drivers and P-platers.

From Tuesday, almost 800,000 teens and inexperienced drivers will be able to download their licence and store it on state government apps.

Adults have been able to carry a digital licence since May, with more than 1.2 million people already opting for the technology after assurances it would be secure and protect privacy.

Physical licences will still be issued to all motorists in Victoria, given the digital version is optional, but the government says feedback of the scheme has been “overwhelmingly positive” – largely due to convenience.

Timed QR codes on the digital licences provide greater security. Picture: Supplied

It says the licences also provide greater security due to a timed QR code that can be scanned by businesses or authorities to verify authenticity, and to show if a licence is cancelled or suspended.

Roads and Road Safety Minister, Melissa Horne, said the change would make showing ID easier for many young people.

“Approximately 800,000 L and P platers will be able to access their licence on their phone just in time for summer – making it easier for them to go about their lives whether that’s driving around, going to a gig, or collecting a parcel,” she said.

“We’ve seen more than 1.2 million Victorians access their licence on their phones since we launched this technology in May, and I’m sure we’ll continue to see a strong take up from our younger drivers from next week.”

The digital licences are expected to make life easier for young people while making the ID-checking process more secure. Picture: Supplied

The rollout of the digital licence scheme hit a pothole during regional trials last year, when residents were sent an email to invite them to a trial, but had the wrong surname attached.

The government apologised for the error, and assured motorists it was an administrative bungle.

Digital licences can be added to the Service Victoria app or myVicRoads app on smartphones, and Government Services Minister Gabrielle Williams said the option was safe and secure.

“The digital driver's licence joins more than 170 safe, secure and easy to use services on the Service Victoria app – including fishing licences and Working with Children check cards,” she said.

Digital licences can be updated in real-time if there are changes to licence conditions or personal information, like home addresses.