Queenslanders will be able to access their driver’s licence on their mobile phones from today, with the new technology to be rolled out statewide following regional trials.
However, the state government is already warning of delays with the technology and has urged people to wait for the issue to be fixed before they download it.
The digital licence has the same legal status as a physical driver’s licence card, allowing Queenslanders to use it as an official form of identification.
The state government released the new Queensland Digital Licence app, where motorists can access the digital version of their driver’s licence.
Transport Minister Mark Bailey said the app had been through “rigorous” privacy and information security testing before its launch.
“Nothing is more important than the safety and security of your private information,” Mr Bailey said.
“We worked with our counterparts in other Australian states that have digital licences, to ensure we learnt from the way they developed and released their apps.
“Queensland’s Digital Licence app will set the standard for mobile driver licence apps across Australia and the world.”
On Wednesday morning, the Department of Transport and Main Roads was warning of delays with the app.
About 5,800 people had already downloaded it overnight.
Despite the new technology, Queenslanders will still need to renew their physical licence and identification cards when they expire and pay the same licence fees.
However, the app will mean they can leave the physical card at home and rely on the digital version of their licence as a form of official identification.
The digital licence can be used for the same purposes as a physical card, such as accessing pubs and clubs, or verifying identification when renting a car or picking up a parcel from the post office.
The app will be available for iPhone users from the Apple app store, while Android users can only access it on the Google app store.
Once the app is downloaded, users will have to create a Queensland Digital Identity, which requires verifying documentation such as the existing physical licence or a passport.
From there, users can access the digital licence through the app on their mobile device.
In addition to driver’s licences, the app can also store state government-issued photo identification cards and marine licences.
(ABC)
