IDV Pacific has invested in mobile driver licence (mDL) capability to align its identity verification platforms with the emerging ISO-based digital credential framework. Over the past two years, the company has developed mDL-enabled software to operate in conjunction with its Thales document readers, reflecting the transition from physical licence presentation to standards-based digital credentials. Adoption has accelerated across Australia, with Queensland operating a compliant programme since November 2023.

On 11 February 2025, New South Wales kicked off its new digital NSW Photo Card pilot — a landmark moment in the adoption of mobile driver’s licenses across Australia. For organisations that check a driving license at the door, from car rental companies to banks, this shift demands attention. The mDL is arriving at scale.

The NSW photo card pilot enables residents to create a secure digital credential within their MyServiceNSW account using biometric verification. Once issued, the credential can be reused across participating services without repeatedly sharing personal details, with initial use cases focused on tolling and future expansion to age verification, proof of identity and customer onboarding. The system follows a selective disclosure model in which sensitive information is stored on the user’s mobile device rather than in a central government database, and biometric data is discarded after use. The credential conforms to the ISO 18013-5 standard, allowing transmission via NFC, Bluetooth or QR code with cryptographic signing, providing functionality equivalent to a physical photo card with a different security and privacy architecture.

The ISO 18013-5 standard was designed for interoperability, enabling a mobile credential issued in one jurisdiction to be authenticated in another, while supporting selective disclosure so verifiers receive only the required confirmation, such as proof of age, rather than full personal details. This represents a shift from traditional licence presentation, where all data is exposed. A companion standard, ISO 18013-7, extends these capabilities to remote use cases such as digital account opening, forming a broader global mDL ecosystem supported by bodies including the US National Institute of Standards and Technology. The framework is now in operational use, including acceptance at TSA checkpoints and deployment on major mobile platforms, while the European Union’s digital identity framework requires member states to implement digital wallet infrastructure with driving credentials as a core use case.

In October 2024, Austroads hosted the IVC Identity Summit (IVC24) in Sydney. All Australian states and territories, along with New Zealand, committed to the standard.

Queensland: Australia’s clear leader. The compliant programme is live, with over 1.2 million users. It provides an official digital version of the physical card, supporting marine licences, age-check cards and trade certifications. Holders present their mDL and never have to hand over anything. Queensland shows how mDL technology extends into a high-assurance wallet.

New South Wales: Launched February 2025 with identity checks, a verifiable credential architecture and alignment to this framework. Expected to deliver full compliance by late 2026.

Most Australians will soon carry a pass on their phone. For any organisation that checks a licence — at a hotel or check-in counter — the shift is inevitable. You need mDL readers for both formats from a single scanner. This extends to vehicle registration checks and other use cases ahead. This way to verify personal data reshapes the intake process for businesses.

Where we are today:

IDV Pacific already supports Queensland’s live ISO 18013-5 digital licence through our Thales CR2000 and AT10K-m Bluetooth scanner integration — verifying both physical cards and digital credentials from a single device.

What’s coming next:

We’re actively developing new cross platform verification solutions, including the IDV mDL Verifier SDK — a lightweight cross platform that lets you scan a QR code and instantly confirm a holder’s identity. No hardware. No complexity.

Talk to us

Whether you need to verify digital licences today or future-proof your systems for the national rollout, IDV Pacific can help. Contact us to book a demo or register for early access to our latest solutions.

Sources: BU (Feb 2025); Austroads IVC24 Summit (Oct 2024); ABC News QLD App (Mar 2025); Service NSW Pilot Terms.