Words: Autocar
Published 18 July 2026
New Zealand drivers are one step closer to carrying their driver’s licence on their phone, with public consultation on the digital licence’s design now open.
The push comes courtesy of Associate Transport Minister James Meager and Digitising Government Minister Paul Goldsmith, who thinks it’s about time our driving credentials caught up with the smartphone age.
“Digital drivers’ licences are an important step towards making everyday interactions with transport services faster, easier, and more secure. This is about giving people a practical new option to prove who they are and their right to drive, using technology many already carry with them every day,” Meager says.
It’s part of a broader government push to streamline services. “Our Government is committed to fixing the basics and building the future, and that is exactly what these proposals would achieve. It is about creating a simpler, more joined-up system where people can manage their transport needs online and receive important information quickly.”
Design input from the public is key, Meager adds: “Putting people at the centre of the design is essential to getting this right. We want to hear people’s views on the proposed approach, including what would give them confidence in that system.”
Goldsmith is keen to reassure Kiwis wary of handing over more data than necessary. “I want to assure Kiwis that the licences are being designed with privacy and security at their core, allowing users to share only the information required for a transaction.
“This will be entirely optional. People who prefer a physical licence can keep using one, while those who want the convenience of digital will have that choice.
“Public feedback is a vital step in making sure digital driver licences are a safe, trusted, and widely used option. I encourage all New Zealanders to share their views,” Goldsmith says.
