• About 140 000 drivers in select Sydney’s suburbs can sign up for blockchain-based Digital Driving Licenses (DDL)
• The system offers enhanced security compared to traditional plastic driver licenses
• Although the drivers are not allowed to leave their physical licenses at home yet, they will be allowed after a statewide release of the DDL

Blockchain technology has many practical uses, as confirmed by the ever-growing number of projects utilizing it. The latest of them is the Digital Driving License project currently being tested in Sydney, Australia.

Successful trial being expanded

According to the Minister for Finance, Services and Property Victor Dominello, the reason why digital driving licences are more secure than plastic ones is the use of blockchain technology platform TrustGrid, designed by Australian company Secure Logic.

Now, after the expansion of a 1-year trial in New South Wales state of Australia (NSW), approximately 140 000 drivers in Sydney’s eastern outskirts are able to sign up for DDL.

As for now, the app can be used for displaying RSA/RCG competency cards, boat driver and recreational fishing licences, as well as checking and paying for any fines.

The application can be downloaded from Google Play or App Store for free. The only requirement for users is to log in their Service NSW account or create one.

There are two ways venue staff or police can verify a licence: ask the user to refresh Service NSW app, or scan a QR code shown on the user’s mobile device with their own application.

Secure and convenient

Victor Dominello expressed his thoughts on DDL:

“It [The DDL app] will provide additional levels of security and protection against identity fraud, compared to the plastic driver licence.”

Police Minister and Member for Dubbo Troy Grant, who became the first man in the state to have his identity verified digitally last year, said it was a logical step in evolution of driving licenses.

“I’ve been pulled over a couple of times for RBT stops and I’ve used my licence there. I’ve used it checking in to airports, hiring cars… it’s been extremely handy.”

Just an experiment now, routine in the future

Even though the residents of select Sydney’s suburbs are able to take part in the trial and receive digital driving licenses on the blockchain, they will still be required to have their plastic driver licence card with them.

A spokesperson for Service NSW mentioned that users will be able to leave their plastic licence at home after a statewide rollout of the system. He also stated that they are not planning to phase out the physical card. He added:

“Participants should not expect licence checkers outside the trial areas to understand or accept the DDL at this stage.”