A new law being debated in Parliament could soon allow New Zealanders to carry their driver’s licences, warrants of fitness (WoFs), and other certificates on their phones.
At the moment, drivers must carry a physical licence when driving. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said digital licences were a “common-sense” step, while Transport Minister Chris Bishop explained many people wanted this option.
The new system would let people choose between using their plastic licence or a digital version stored in a phone wallet. Associate Transport Minister James Meager introduced the bill, saying it would modernise New Zealand’s transport laws and bring them in line with technology. He noted that digital licences would also be useful for situations beyond driving, like proving age at a restaurant or passing through port security.
Other countries, such as Denmark, Iceland, Norway, and some U.S. states, already use digital licences. If the law passes, New Zealand would become one of the first in the world to adopt them. Officials say the changes could be in place by the middle of next year.
The bill also aims to remove paper-based systems for WoFs, certificates of fitness, and vehicle registrations. Instead of stickers on windscreens and letters in the mail, all this information would be stored digitally.
Labour MPs supported the idea but raised concerns about privacy and how drivers will show a licence from their phone without breaking rules about phone use while driving.
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