The regional Victorian town of Ballarat will be the site of a digital driver licence trial ahead of a statewide roll-out next year.

The move, announced on Monday, follows the launch of digital licences in NSW in 2019 and an ongoing trial of the technology in Townsville in far north Queensland.

As part of the Ballarat trial, from next month motorists will have the option of carrying their digital licence on their phones in the Service Victoria app or VicRoads app, which is set to be launched soon.

Full licence holders in the trial area can sign up online, and will be invited to add a digital version of their licence to their phone.

The government says the card will feature special security features, and has a QR code than can be scanned by police, businesses and other authorities to verify authenticity.

The system will allow licences to be updated in real time in the event of a change of address or new licence conditions. Users will have control over the level of personal information shared, the government says.

Government services minister Danny Pearson says Victorians want digital drivers licences.

“We know Victorians are calling out for more cards to be added to the Service Victoria wallet and that is why we are thrilled that the digital driver licence will soon be added,” he said in a statement.

Almost 4.5 million people in NSW – about 75 per cent of all motorists – have so far opted for a digital driver licence via the Service NSW app.

NSW is also rolling out digital ID and digital birth certificates.

Queensland trialled a digital licence in the Fraser Coast region in 2020 and expanded the pilot to Townsville in April.

The app is expected to become available to all Queenslanders this year.

Thales has partnered with the Queensland government to deliver the digital licence, which it says can be recognised and used around the world.