Australian driver’s licences are now set to move into the digital age, with all the nation’s transport ministers agreeing on how information will be stored on “smartcard” licences.

Today’s signing of the Smartcard Licence Interoperability Protocol (SLIP) will ensure that when states and territories introduce smartcard technology the information contained on the card’s chips will be accessible by the traffic and law enforcement authorities of other jurisdictions – while safeguarding the privacy of Australians.

Smartcard technology will make it harder to use stolen or fake cards, an important protection in these times of growing identity theft.

These licences also have the potential to make it easier for motorists to change their personal details and store a range of other important information such as donor and health information.

The Protocol is an example of how a national approach can be achieved with the cooperation of all jurisdictions. It was developed by Queensland Transport in consultation with state transport and licensing authorities as well as business groups.

Queensland plans to be the first jurisdiction to issue smartcard licences in 2010.