Following the lead of other states such as New South Wales and South Australia, the Queensland government begun their rollout of the Digital License app today.
The digital driver’s license has the same legal status as a physical driver’s license card and can be used to confirm a person’s identity, such as when collecting a package or entering a club or pub.
Use of the app is completely optional and won’t be replacing physical card licenses any time soon, and Queenslanders will still need to pay the usual fees to replace and renew their physical cards.
Despite the app being scheduled for a full launch today, the Department of Transport and Main Roads is urging Queenslanders to be patient and wait before downloading, warning the public of delays.
Over 5000 people downloaded the app overnight, but it seems that the digital service is struggling to keep up with the demand.
Sally Stannard, acting director-general of the Department of Transport and Main Roads, spoke to ABC Radio Brisbane about the issue.
“Just take your time today. There is a queue of people trying to download,” said Stannard.
“We don’t want you to have to wait, so perhaps wait until tomorrow [or] try again a bit later in the week. We will continue to work at our end.”
Despite technical issues, Transport Minister Mark Bailey assured the public that the app had been through “rigorous” testing to ensure that the application was secure and that users’ private information would be protected when using the Digital License.
“Nothing is more important than the safety and security of your private information,” said Bailey.
“We worked with our counterparts in other Australian states that have digital licences, to ensure we learnt from the way they developed and released their apps.
“Queensland’s Digital Licence app will set the standard for mobile driver licence apps across Australia and the world.”
More information about the Digital License can be found on the Queensland Government website.