MINISTERIAL BRIEFING NOTE
Subject
Delivering a Digital Driver Licence using Austroads
Date
11 December 2024
1982
Briefing number
BRI-3234
ACT
Contact(s) for telephone discussion (if required)
Name
Position
Direct line
Cell phone
1st contact
Liz Maguire
Chief Digital Of icer
s 9(2)(a)
Action taken by Office of the Minister
INFORMATION
Noted
Seen by Minister
Agreed
OFFICIAL
Feedback provided
Forwarded to
THE
Needs change [please specify]
Withdrawn
Overtaken by events
UNDER
RELEASED
BRI-3234
11 December 2024
Hon Simeon Brown – Minister of Transport
DELIVERING A DIGITAL DRIVER LICENCE USING
AUSTROADS
1982
Purpose
ACT
1. This briefing updates you on the proposal to col aborate with Austroads, the association of
Australia and New Zealand transport agencies, on the co-design of a digital driver licence. It
includes indicative timeframes and costs.
Background
2. On 7 November 2024 the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) provided Minister Collins and
yourself (refer to DG20244868) a recommended approach for NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi
(NZTA) to develop a digital driver licence utilising Austroads’ shared infrastructure and existing
DIA and NZTA services.
INFORMATION
3. You were supportive of this recommendation at the Officials Meeting on 18 November 2024 and
asked to receive further information on the Austroads solution. This paper outlines our findings to
date and serves as a plan for the next steps.
4. NZTA intends to co-design the digital driver licence with Austroads, supported by the DIA, as the
opportunity offers a robust and secure service aligned with the Digital Identity Services Trust
OFFICIAL
Framework (DISTF) and can be delivered faster and at a lower cost compared to NZTA
undertaking this work independently.
THE
5. Austroads has formally invited NZTA to col aborate on designing various components of the
digital driver licence. This partnership wil provide New Zealand early access to wallet providers
such as s 9(2)(b)(ii)
, while ensuring that the digital driver
licence fol ows international best practices. Subject to your feedback on this proposal, NZTA
intends to indicate its confirmation to participate in the collaboration.
UNDER
The Austroads option to deliver a digital driver licence
6. NZTA intends to co-design the digital driver licence with Austroads, supported by the DIA, for
several reasons:
a. Collaborating with Austroads reduces costs through shared resources and
gives us access to expertise, noting that some Australian states are well ahead
of us with digital driver licenses
RELEASED
b. Earlier Access to Wallet Providers ensures compatibility with s 9(2)(b)(ii)
Page 2
1982
ACT
INFORMATION
OFFICIAL
THE
UNDER
RELEASED
BRI-3234
milestones and maintaining regular communication with stakeholders to address any concerns
promptly. The NZTA Acting Chief Executive is also the deputy chair of Austroads.
14. We wil require a procurement exemption to directly appoint Austroads as the digital driver
license supplier. Our procurement team has advised that as a member of Austroads, this is a
feasible strategy if we provide sufficient rationale and justification for an exemption to the usual
market process. We wil ensure full transparency and compliance with procurement policy.
Dependencies
1982
15. The Ministry is collaborating with your office to progress the legislative changes required for the
implementation of a digital driver licence. Additionally, we will explore obtaining an exemption to
ACT
conduct a limited pilot until the legislation is enacted. This would require Director of Land
Transport approval and must meet the threshold for granting of class exemptions, including that
land transport safety is either maintained or increased by the exempted activity.
16. The digital driver licence must be integrated with existing technologies, to al ow for online
issuance. Making use of the Identity Check service from the DIA wil ensure the digital driver
licence is issued only to verified individuals, maintaining a high level of trust and security. We are
working with DIA to progress this integration.
Next steps
INFORMATION
17. We will confirm participation in the co-design with Austroads. Additionally, we will seek funding for
the co-design phase and progress funding options for the ful implementation.
18. We recommend you forward this briefing to the Minister for Digitising Government and support the
Ministry of Transport in progressing legislative changes to enable a digital driver licence.
OFFICIAL
THE
UNDER
RELEASED
Page 4
BRI-3234
It is recommended that you:
1.
Note the update on the proposal to col aborate with Austroads on the co-design
of a Digital Driver Licence.
2.
Agree to forward this briefing the Minister for Digitising Government.
Yes/No
3.
Note that you are scheduled to discuss this briefing at the Officials meeting on 16
December 2024.
1982
ACT
...........................................................................
Liz Maguire
Chief Digital Of icer
INFORMATION
............................................................................
Hon Simeon Brown, Minister of Transport
Date:
2024
OFFICIAL
THE
UNDER
RELEASED
Page 5
