Massive change coming to drivers licences in Victoria: What you need to know

Almost one million motorists in one Australian state can now use a digital licence after the scheme was expanded to include learner and provisional drivers. 

Up to 800,000 L and P-plate drivers in Victoria will be permitted to carry their driver licences electronically from Tuesday. 

Hundreds of thousands of L and P-plate drivers are expected to sign up to the Service Victoria app or myVicRoads app this week. 

The Victorian government explained digital driver licences were optional with physical licences still being issued to all drivers. 

They will join 1.2million other motorists who have activated their digital licence since the electronic option was first launched in May.

Digital licences has a highly secure, timed QR code which can be scanned by businesses and other authorities to verify authenticity and prevent fraudulent use. 

The digital document also details when a licence has been cancelled or suspended and drivers can update it in real-time if personal information needs to be changed. 

Victoria Minister for Roads and Road Safety Melissa Horne said the expansion aimed to simplify young and learning drivers lives.

Up to 800,000 learner and provisional drivers in Victoria have been given permission to carry their driver licences electronically from Tuesday (stock)

Hundreds of thousands of L and P-Plate drivers will join 1.2million motorists already using the technology (pictured) since it was first launched in May this year

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 thats driving around, going to a gig, or collecting a parcel, Ms Horne said. 

Im sure well continue to see a strong take up from our younger drivers.

The Allan Labor Government launched digital licences on May 13, 2024 and followed the successful launch in several other states. 

Victoria lagged behind Queensland and NSWs digital licence initiative and was also years behind South Australia which was the first state to offer the technology in 2017.

The Northern Territory is set to launch a trial program for digital licences in 2025, while Tasmania, Western Australia and the Australian Capital Territory have yet to make plans for the technology. 

The scheme in Victoria followed a six-month trial in Ballarat in which saw 15,000 residents download their licences to the Service Victoria or myVicRoads app. 

However, the trial faced security concerns around fraud and identity theft after the digital licence misspelled the surnames of some drivers.