Kiwis asked to shape digital driver’s licences so they’re ‘safe, trusted, and widely used’

New Zealanders are being asked for their views on how digital driver licences should work, as the Government moves closer to allowing motorists to carry their licence on their smartphone.

Public consultation has opened on the detailed rules that will govern the rollout of digital driver licences, following the passage of the Regulatory Systems (Transport) Amendment Act in May, which enables digital driver licences and other transport services to be digitised.

Digitising Government Minister Paul Goldsmith said public feedback will play a key role in ensuring the new system is trusted by New Zealanders.

"Public feedback is a vital step in making sure digital driver licences are a safe, trusted, and widely used option. I encourage all New Zealanders to share their views," he said.

Associate Transport Minister James Meager said the move is designed to make everyday interactions with transport services "faster, easier, and more secure", while giving motorists the choice of using either a digital or physical licence.

"Digital drivers' licences are an important step towards making everyday interactions with transport services faster, easier, and more secure. This is about giving people a practical new option to prove who they are and their right to drive, using technology many already carry with them every day," Mr Meager said.

While the new legislation moves to digitise driver's licences, the Government says they will be entirely optional, with traditional plastic licences continuing to be available.

"This will be entirely optional. People who prefer a physical licence can keep using one, while those who want the convenience of digital will have that choice," said Mr Godlsmith.

To build confidence in the new technology, Mr Goldsmith says privacy and security have been central to the design process.

"I want to assure Kiwis that the licences are being designed with privacy and security at their core, allowing users to share only the information required for a transaction," Mr Goldsmith said.

According to the Government, the digital licences are intended to simplify access to transport services and allow users to manage more of their transport-related interactions online, including drivers licences, car registration and warrant of fitness information.

Police will continue to verify licences through the existing driver licence register during the transition, before moving to digital licence verification over time.

The New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) is leading the four-week consultation, which focuses on the detailed regulations required before the system can be introduced.

Feedback on the proposed digital driver licence framework is open for four weeks through NZTA's consultation process.