MIN-4366 - NZTA mobile app and digital driver licences
24 January 2024
Providing you with a copy of the advice provided to Hon Judith Collins, by the Department of Internal Affairs
(DIA), regarding the new NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) mobile app and digital driver licences.
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DIA advice to Hon Collins:
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6. The New Zealand Transport Agency is also doing exploratory work to understand what would be
required to design and implement a digital driver licence. It has been engaging with industry but no
detailed technical decisions have yet been made about how a digital driver licence would be delivered.
The New Zealand Transport Agency has also compiled an initial assessment of legislative changes that
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would be required to authorise a digital driver licence in New Zealand.[1]
7. A digital driver licence wil be a flagship product within New Zealand’s digital identity ecosystem and
provide wide ranging benefits for New Zealanders and businesses. It could be used to mobilise a wider
market for digital identity services in New Zealand. The Government Chief Digital Officer wil support
the New Zealand Transport Agency so the digital driver licence can meet the requirements to be
accredited under the Digital Identity Trust Services Framework Act 2023.
8. The New Zealand Transport Agency anticipates that a digital driver licence will be delivered via its new
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app. Implementation is likely to involve a large procurement exercise, legislative change to authorise a
digital licence to be used (as opposed to a physical one) to be used and work to meet international
standards.
9. In the current fiscal environment, developing a digital driver licence is likely to be a medium-term
initiative (3-5 years). The digital driver licence work is not yet funded and the New Zealand Transport
Agency was not invited to submit a Budget bid for FY2024-25. A digital driver licence could be
delivered earlier if funding is made available and this is made a legislative priority.
Consultation
10. We have engaged with the New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi on its plans and delivery
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timing for the new NZTA mobile app and digital driver licence. The New Zealand Transport Agency has
offered to provide you a briefing and demonstration of the new app it is developing.
Related recommendations:
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Agree to share the Digitising Government portfolio priorities letter with the Minister of Transport.
Agree to receive a briefing and demonstration of the new NZTA app from the New Zealand Transport
Agency.
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