Victoria apologises after embarrassing digital licence blunder

VicRoads has apologised for a technical error that saw thousands of Victorian residents addressed by the wrong name in an invitation to trial a new digital driver’s licence.

In a post apologising for the error on Twitter, VicRoads said no other customer data has been released.

Around 57,000 customers received emails with incorrect surnames.

“We apologise to customers in Ballarat impacted by an error in the email inviting them to sign up for the digital driver licence pilot,” VicRoads registration and licensing services chief executive Dean Tillotson said in a statement to 7News.

”The error is limited to an incorrect name reflected on the direct email and no other personal information has been disclosed.”

The Victorian Government launched the program last month as part of a staggered approach, with residents in Ballarat given first access to trial the technology before it’s rolled out state-wide.

A similar app is already available to New South Wales, Queensland, and South Australia residents.

VicRoads claims the app will be able to provide drivers with updated licence details which can include their updated change of address as well as any change to the status of the licence in the event of suspension.

The digital licence is expected to assist businesses and authorities to easily verify personal information via a QR Code system.