| Australian Driver Licence | |
|---|---|
 The front and back of an ACT Driver Licence | |
| Type | Driver licence |
| Issued by | States and territories |
| Purpose | Identification |
| Eligibility | All passed drivers of Australian states and territories |
Driver licences in Australia refer to the official permit required for a person to legally drive a motor vehicle in Australia. The issue of driver licences, alongside the regulation and enforcement of road use, are all managed by state and territory governments.[1]
As no Australia-wide licensing scheme exists, rules for the issue of licences vary by jurisdiction. Nevertheless, licences are generally recognised and valid in other states and territories. Since 1997, nationwide uniform arrangements have been in place for the regulation of full drivers licences for motor vehicles, as well as their renewal.[2]
Australia's lack of identity cards has led to driving licences becoming the de facto photo ID used in everyday situations. In 2017, the federal government proposed creation of a national drivers licence database that would involve state or territory governments handing over the identities of drivers in a stated bid to toughen national security laws. The national ID database would be used to monitor public events, but could be transferred to a national drivers licence system with agreement from the states.[3]
- ^ Department of Infrastructure and Transport (1 February 2012). "Driver Licensing". Department of Infrastructure and Transport. Retrieved 15 October 2012.
- ^ National Driver Licensing Scheme policy
- ^ "Labor backs Australian national drivers licence scheme". The Sydney Morning Herald. 29 December 2017. Archived from the original on 4 April 2023.