Victoria will offer a digital license for drivers from next year along with NSW, Queensland and South Australia.

The state government announced this week that motorists will be able to carry their driver’s license on their phone with a trial version of a digital driver’s license in Ballarat from July before it is rolled out statewide in 2024.

NSW pioneered the rollout of smartphone-based licenses in 2019, with South Australia quickly following suit. Queensland is currently rolling out its version. digital licenses in the Fraser Coast region and beyond expanded to Townsville two weeks ago ahead of the rest of the state later this year.

The Victorian version will be available through the Service Victoria app or the soon-to-be-launched VicRoads app.

From June, full licensees in Ballarat will be able to sign up for the pilot through the Service Victoria or VicRoads websites before the trial begins in July.

Public Services Secretary Danny Pearson said the license will contain a timed QR code that can be scanned by license validators such as police, businesses and other authorities to verify authenticity and prevent fraudulent use. It is updated in real time in response to any changes such as new terms, a suspension or a change of address.

“This is world-class technology – the digital driver’s license has a constantly updated unique QR code and the customer has control over the level of personal information shared,” he said.

“We know that Victorians are clamoring for more cards to be added to the Service Victoria wallet and so we are excited that the digital driving license will be added soon.”

During the pilot, L and P plate drivers must carry their physical driver’s license at all times and others will still have the option of using their physical driver’s license.

The Victorian rollout follows the work done in NSW to build the national rails for a digital ID, with the NSW version coming later this year.

The former NSW government worked with the other states and territories and the Australian government to adopt a national Digital Identity ecosystem, which will enable the use of NSW Digital ID outside the state.