NSW digital driver's licences coming in August

NSW citizens are just weeks away from getting their hands on a digital driver's licence, with the state government planning its statewide rollout in August this year.

Source: Service NSW

The much-anticipated electronic vehicle licence is currently being piloted in three metropolitan and regional centres across NSW.

Dubbo became the first NSW city to take part in the trial in late 2017, followed by Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs last year and the NSW border city of Albury last month.

The trials are being used to test the digital passes, which motorists can use for police checks and to gain access to pubs and clubs in the trial areas.

The Albury trial is also being used by the government to identify any potential cross border issues, as the digital pass will only be valid in NSW.

But after more than a year-and-a-half of testing, today’s state budget reveals the opt-in digital pass will become available to all citizens in August.

“After successful trials in key locations - NSW drivers will be the first in the country to have the choice of a digital driver’s licence from August this year,” Treasurer Dominic Perrottet. 

More than 14,000 motorists are estimated to currently be using the digital pass in the three trial areas, which is available through the Service NSW app.

Newly-minted Minister for Customer Service Victor Dominello said the trials would allow the government to inform the wider rollout.

“Smartphones have become de facto wallets and we’re using cutting edge technology so that drivers can use a digital licence in everyday scenarios,” he said.