Digital driver’s licence goes gangbusters

New South Wales Digital Driver Licence

More than 1 million NSW motorists have downloaded the Digital Driver Licence (DDL) since it was officially launched on 3 November, accounting for almost 18 per cent of all licence holders.

Starting with Australia Post over-the-counter parcel collections, NSW residents can expect to have their DDL accepted in more places in 2020, with a ‘copy solution’ being built to provide an alternative for checkers in situations where they are currently required to take a photocopy on a plastic driver licence.

“We are working with industry to enable the DDL to be used in more day-to-day situations – for example when opening a bank account or taking out a loan, checking into hotels, hiring a car or buying medicine from a chemist,” Mr Dominello said.

“Providing a copy solution is a key enabler for broad industry adoption. The ultimate vision is for people to be confident going wallet free, knowing that DDL will be accepted in most situations where a driver’s licence is required for proof of identity.”

Australia Post will accept the DDL from 13 January as proof of ID for accepting basic over-the-counter parcels in their Post Offices. Supermarkets Woolworths and Coles are also on board.

Minister for Customer Service Victor Dominello said the DDL has been an overwhelming success with a 96 per cent satisfaction rate among customers.

“Clubs, pubs and the police have embraced the new technology, with the DDL sighted more than four million times since it went live,” Mr Dominello said.

Australia Post Group Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director Christine Holgate said Australia Post is excited to be partnering with the New South Wales Government to accept its new Digital Driver Licence for over-the-counter parcel pick-up.

“We’re pleased to announce we will accept the New South Wales Digital Driver Licence from January 13 2020 for over-the-counter parcel pick-up across our retail network,” Ms Holgate said.

“We have a lot of experience in the digital space with our own Digital iD™ already enabling customers to collect parcels with the convenience of their smartphone for the last two years.

“Now we’re making it easier for our customers to verify themselves across our retail stores.

“We look forward to working closely with the NSW Government on broader use and acceptance across Australia Post and NSW Government services for both Australia Post’s Digital iD and the NSW DDL.”

The DDL is hosted securely on the new Service NSW app, locks with a PIN and can be accessed offline. It provides additional levels of security and protection against identity fraud, compared to the plastic driver licence.

To get a DDL, licence holders will need to create a MyServiceNSW Account at www.service.nsw.gov.au and download the Service NSW mobile app on their smartphone. The digital licence will always be opt-in only.

Top 10 suburbs for downloads.

Suburb

Downloads

Blacktown

7754

Kellyville

6861

Castle Hill

6335

Baulkham Hills

5677

Auburn

5617

Merrylands

4823

Ryde

4740

Bankstown

4705

Port Macquarie

4605

Parramatta

4494

Age breakdown for downloads.

Age Category

Downloads

25-34

235,088

35-44

231,897

45-54

173,796

16-24

150,570

55-64

102,138

65-74

52,712

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