New Zealanders could soon be able to show their driver’s licence from their phone, after a new law passed in Parliament.
The Regulatory Systems (Transport) Amendment Bill passed its third and final reading, which means digital driver’s licences are now one step closer to becoming a reality. They will be an optional alternative to the plastic card most drivers carry in their wallet.
The law is part of a bigger push to move away from paper-based systems. Transport Minister Chris Bishop pointed out that last year, 14 million letters, reminders, and labels were posted out at a cost of $16.8 million to taxpayers. Under the new rules, many of those will be able to be sent digitally instead.
Digital warrants of fitness and registration labels are also included in the changes, meaning those stickers on your windscreen could eventually go digital too.
However, you won’t be pulling out your phone at a traffic stop just yet. More law changes still need to happen before digital licences can actually be used, and the public will get a chance to have their say before that happens.
Privacy is a big part of the conversation. The government says strong protections are in place, with the Privacy Act still applying and personal information kept secure. For those who don’t have easy access to technology, Associate Transport Minister James Meager confirmed that physical licences will always remain an option.
The bill also covers other transport areas, including clearer rules for rail safety investigations and stronger enforcement around maritime navigation. The government has been developing a Govt.nz app where digital ID documents, including driver’s licences, could eventually be stored.
