The Government has opened public consultation on the detailed rules that would let New Zealanders carry a driver licence on their phone. The enabling law, the Regulatory Systems (Transport) Amendment Act, passed earlier in 2026; this round of consultation covers the design and operating rules needed to actually put it into effect, and runs for four weeks from 16 July 2026.

What it does

Associate Transport Minister James Meager and Digitising Government Minister Paul Goldsmith said a digital licence would sit alongside the physical card rather than replace it, and that using one would be optional. The ministers said privacy and security are core to the design, pointing to the ability to share only the information a given transaction needs rather than handing over a full licence. The Government has not announced a launch date.