Digital driver's licences were promised by the Government last year, and the law change required to introduce them is still crawling through Parliament - but ministers say they’re committed to getting the legislation in place before the election.
The Regulatory Systems (Transport) Amendment Bill, introduced to the house by Associate Transport Minister James Meager, is a piece of omnibus legislation aimed at tidying up New Zealand’s land transport, aviation, and maritime legislation.
It is also intended to modernise some transport laws and bring them up to date with technology.
One of those is to expand the definition of a driver’s licence to include electronic versions as well as the current physical ones. It also creates a framework for the Government to introduce further legislation on digital licences.
But these digital licenses are just one part of the bill, which covers a range of areas. It was passed with the support of all six parties in Parliament following its first reading.
It then went on to select committee earlier this year, with the Transport and Infrastructure Committee suggesting several changes, a large chunk dedicated to the electronic licences.
The next stage is a second reading in Parliament before becoming law. With an election in November creating a hard deadline for all legislation to get through before a potential change in government, the clock is ticking for all proposed legislation.
But the government appears committed this reform, saying it hopes to have the bill passed by the middle of the year.
Digital licences 'optional'
The select committee which looked at the legislation said it was "vital" that use of electronic driver licences remained "optional", and that "people remain equally free to use just a physical driver licence".
"We note that the intention is that electronic driver licences would provide an optional alternative to physical driver licences," it said. "We recognise that there are many reasons why individuals might prefer to continue using a physical driver licence."
It recommended the bill add the words: "Different prescribed forms may be prescribed for different types of driver licences, including different formats of driver licences."
When introducing the bill at its first reading, Meager said it was "important to note” that physical licences would “always be an option”.
The committee said the amendment would also recognise that electronic licences could take a different form from physical licences while containing the same information.
It recommended changing some of the wording to say a licence must “include” prescribed features rather than stating that those features must be “on” the licence.
"This would allow more flexibility in designing the format of electronic driver licences and reflect that not all information must be displayed simultaneously."
The committee noted how potential organ donors' status would be shown on an electronic licence, and said this would be considered during the implementation process.
"Whatever way the status is displayed, it will not change how donor information is accessed for clinical purposes."
If successful in its second reading, the bill will head to the committee of the whole house to be scrutinised before its third and final reading. Its second reading would be scheduled by the Leader of the House, Chris Bishop.
"The Government does have a busy legislative agenda, so it will occur as and when time permits to do so," a spokesperson for Meager's office told 1News.
A spokesperson for Bishop said the Government was aiming to pass the bill "by mid year".
The bill would also open a pathway for other transport documents, like Warrant of Fitness and Registration stickers, to be digitised.
In December last year, the Government launched the govt.nz app, which allows users to access government information and services from their phones – and will, eventually, hold digital driver licences.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said last year that digital driver's licences are a “common sense thing”.
“We’re all using digital wallets to buy products and services across the country,” he said
Digital licences are already available in Denmark, Iceland, Norway and several US states.
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