The Victorian government has reported that more than 300,000 Victorians have downloaded their digital driver’s licence on their phone since the launch of the state’s digital licence scheme at the start of the month.
However, since its roll out licensed clubs have had to resort to signing people in with pen and paper because the technology behind the digital driver’s licence scheme is incompatible with their mandatory sign-in systems. Digital drivers licences are verified by scanning a QR code.
Community Clubs Victoria chief executive Andrew Lloyd has confirmed that licensed venues have been facing hiccups since the roll out.
“If there is no integration, venues will be forced back to using ‘pen and paper’, which is ridiculous and jeopardises the uptake of the new digital licence scheme,” he said.
“We are committed to working with government agencies to ensure that new technology is implemented seamlessly to support our clubs and the community. However, we can’t do this if projects are designed in a vacuum, with no consultation and understanding of the venue’s operation or customer user experience.
“The Department of Transport seems to have not appreciated the core issues involved in this implementation, which is unfortunate.”
Victorians can access their digital driver licence using either the VicRoads and Services Victoria app.
The launch follows a successful trial in Ballarat last year, where more than 15,000 Victorians accessed their digital licences via the myVicRoads and Service Victoria apps.
Minister for Roads and Road Safety Melissa Horne has touted launching digital driver’s licences in Victoria will “make it easier for Victorians when they go about their day-to-day lives – whether that’s driving around, renting a car, collecting a parcel, or visiting a licensed venue.”
The Department of Transport and Planning is continuing to run a number of information sessions throughout May and June to support industry to help navigate businesses that solely rely on physical ID scanning machines to adjust to accepting the new digital format.
“More than 300,000 Victorians across the state have jumped on board and downloaded their digital licence on their phone and feedback from businesses has been overwhelming positive,” a Victorian government spokesperson said.
“We know some businesses are adjusting to this new form of ID and we’ve encouraged Victorians to continue carrying their physical licences to avoid any potential issues.”