What if I need a copy of someone’s licence?
Right now, there’s no way for someone to share a copy of their digital licence (e.g. pdf, email, print).
You shouldn’t hold onto copies of customer details unless required by regulation.
Keeping copies of this information is a fraud risk.
We don’t recommend that anyone shares or accepts screen shots of digital driver licences.
How do I check a digital driver licence?
To check a licence, ask the person to:
- Open their digital driver licence.
- Pull down on their details screen to refresh.
- Show you their photo.
- Show you their licence number.
- Show you the hologram.
- Show you the QR code to scan if you need further verification.
It may take time for businesses to become comfortable using digital licences and have the supporting technology in place. Business can continue to accept plastic cards.
You should not ask the customer to hand you their phone.
How does a digital licence get verified?
Businesses can verify the digital licence via either a visual check or scanning the QR Code.
Visual check
The verifier can visually inspect the licence and photo whilst relying on security features such as the hologram or pull to refresh.
Scanning the QR Code
- The QR code connects to the licence record.
- It is refreshed every two minutes, so the code is always unique.
- Scanning the QR code will confirm if the licence is valid.
To scan a QR Code, the business needs the matching app on their own device (either Service Victoria or myVicRoads app).
Some licensed hospitality and gaming venues may also be able to scan the QR code from the licence view within the app, using an ID scanner to log the person as a visitor to the venue.
You do not need to have an active account in order to scan a customer’s QR code, you can access it via the home page of either app.
Can customers still use their plastic licence card if they don’t have a smartphone?
Yes – all licence holders will continue to be issued with a plastic card. A digital driver licence is the same as a plastic licence and is optional. If a customer does not have a smartphone, they will still be able to use their plastic licence. Customers will need to renew their licence as usual, to ensure it remains current.
What can businesses do to prepare for a digital driver licence?
Download both the Service Victoria and myVicRoads app – you will need them to scan a QR code.
Think about what a digital licence means for your business processes. We acknowledge it may take time for businesses to become comfortable using digital licence and to have the supporting systems and processes in place. Remember – you can continue to accept a plastic card.
If a licence has expired, will businesses still be able to identify the customers age on the app?
Yes. You can view an expired licence for up to two years within the app(s).
Will more businesses and institutions accept digital driver licences in the future?
It may take time for businesses to have the supporting technology or systems in place. Each business or authority will make their own decisions based on their own circumstances, systems and needs. Businesses can continue to accept plastic cards.
What information can I see when I scan a digital licence?
There are three levels of information that someone can share with their digital driver licence.
- Full licence: This is all the person’s licence information, like what’s on the front and back of the plastic card. People will share this info when they need to show police things like licence status, classes, or restrictions.
- Identity: This view shows a person's full name, address and signature.
- Proof of age: A proof of age check confirms that someone is over 18. This won’t show their exact age or date of birth.
Is it secure? How do I know it’s a real licence?
When people refresh their licence, it updates straight from their Victorian Licensing Registry record. This means that when you scan a licence, you know the information is coming from a trusted source.
When you scan someone’s digital licence, you’ll see when they last refreshed their information. Even if someone has had their licence suspended you can still check they are over 18 or check their identity.
How does the QR code work?
The QR code connects to a person’s records every time the code gets refreshed. Each code is unique and lasts for 2 minutes. After that, a person needs to refresh again to update their information. This helps protect against fraud, so you know the information is valid.
How does the hologram work?
The Victorian Coat of Arms hologram on a digital licence is similar to the one on a plastic card. If a person tilts their phone back and forth, you’ll see the image move and shimmer.
Holograms add extra security, but you shouldn't rely on the hologram alone. If you want to do a quick check, using the hologram is fast and easy.
I scanned a licence and got an error screen. What do I do?
Sometimes you’ll get an error if the app can’t connect to a network or to a person’s information. If you try to scan again it should work. But if it doesn't you can check a person's plastic licence or use another form of ID.
Other messages will tell you if the licence isn’t valid, or if the QR code doesn’t look right. In that case, you can check a person’s plastic licence or use other ways to identify them.
What if I’m still not sure a digital licence is valid?
You can always ask to see the plastic driver licence card or another form of ID.
What if I need a copy of someone’s licence?
Right now, there’s no way for someone to share a copy of their digital licence. You’ll need to copy or scan their plastic licence like you would normally. You shouldn’t hold onto copies of customer details unless you really need to. Keeping copies of this information is a fraud risk.
We don’t recommend that anyone shares or accepts screen shots of digital driver licences.
Protecting your customer’s privacy
Licence checkers must not touch a customer’s phone to check their licence or scan a QR code just ask them to tilt their screen towards you. You can also ask them to refresh their screen or enlarge the QR code by tapping on it if you need to.
As a business operator, you’re responsible for protecting your customers’ personal information. Find out what type of customer information is personal and how to protect it. For more information visit business.vic.gov.au
If a licence has expired, will businesses still be able to identify the customers age on the app?
Yes. You can view an expired licence for up to two years within the app(s). This reflects the expiry approach for other identity documents. E.g. Passport
What if there is no internet connection available or the phone isn't working?
You can ask to check the customer’s plastic licence card instead, or use another form of ID.
What do I need to know when collecting customer data?
If you’re running a business, you need to protect your customers’ personal information. Find out what type of customer information is personal and how to protect it. For more information visit business.gov.au
How do I submit questions or feedback?
If you have any questions or feedback about the digital driver licence, you can message us online.