What are the benefits of digitising your licence?  

Have you ever had to replace the contents of your wallet when it was lost or stolen? If so, you already know it can be a painful task. This is why the mySA GOV app is a good idea – by storing your licence online, you can access it when you need it most from your smartphone or tablet.

You can also set registration and licence renewal reminders, which will send push notifications to your phone when the renewal is due.

Because the app displays licences in real-time, any changes to your licence conditions will be reflected on the digital version the next time you access the app.

It may also come in handy if you realised you’ve forgotten to bring your licence on a night out with friends, as bars and clubs can also validate the licenses for proof-of-age entry. As it’s still new however, not all venues are equipped to accept digital licences so it’s a good idea to keep your physical licence with you.

Will other states recognise it?

Business and organisations need to be set up to accept SA digital licences, so you should still carry a physical licence on you when travelling interstate or overseas.

Is it safe?

The app is encrypted and protected by a PIN and optional fingerprint security, which already makes it safer than your physical wallet.

But just to be sure, there are a string of other measures in place including an extensive identity verification process and one-time barcode.

The barcode feature means a new one is created for your licence every 30 seconds, which prevents a fake one being used. That same barcode can be scanned by anyone with the mySA GOV app including businesses and the police to check its validity.

Another feature, Shake to Animate, displays the time and date when the phone is shaken to prove the licence is not a photo or a screenshot.

What licences or passes are available in digital form?

Driver’s licences (provisional, full and heavy), learner’s permits, proof of age cards, boat licences, land agent and sales representative registrations, and vehicle registrations are able to be downloaded digitally.

Do I have to have a digital licence?

The short answer is no.

Physical licences will still be provided to all new and current licence holders, with no plan to phase them out.

How do I digitise my driver’s licence?

Create a mySA GOV account and confirm your identity.

The first time you access the app you’ll be asked to enter a four-digit PIN. You can then use this PIN to access your digital passes and licences.

Your current passes, licences and vehicle registrations should automatically be added to the app. You can add licences by pressing the ‘+’ button in the top right corner, but you will only be able to add passes and licences that you already own.