Optus data breach

The driver’s licence number is the number printed on the front of the card. The card number is the unique number printed on the back of the card that changes each time you get a new driver’s licence card issued.

Card number on the back of card.

You must attend a DoT transport service centre or regional agent and apply for a replacement card using the Application for Replacement/Certified Copy of Driver’s Licence, Learner’s Permit or Learner Log Book (DL26) form.

This form will need to be presented in person by the licence holder with the following: 

• One form of WA Government issued photographic identity document (e.g. WA driver’s licence or WA Photo Card); or
• Primary and secondary proof of identity; and
• Optus issued notification verifying your WA driver’s licence details were included in the data breach.

Replacing a WA driver’s licence card will provide you with a new card number, providing protection from unauthorised Document Verification Service (DVS) checks using the old card's information. 

This is because both the licence number and the card number are needed to pass a DVS check. A DVS check is used by institutions such as banks to verify a person’s identity.

The vast majority of people who provided their information to Optus before 1 September 2022, would have only provided the driver’s licence number. By itself, this number is no longer enough to complete an online identity check.

If you paid for a replacement driver’s licence card online in DoTDirect between 28 September 2022 and 12 November 2022 you will have a credit applied to your account for the amount paid. You can apply for a refund via DoTDirect.

Yes, you will be able to retain your current driver’s licence card as DoT appreciates customers may need a photographic identity document for other purposes while waiting for a new card to arrive.

Yes, you can replace your learner’s permit cards by attending a DoT transport service centre or regional agent. The same options for replacing a driver’s licence apply to replacing a permit.

You must attend a DoT transport service centre or regional agent and apply using the Application for Photo Card (PC1) form.

This form will need to be presented in person by the licence holder with the following:

• One form of WA Government issued photographic identity document (e.g. WA driver’s licence or WA Photo Card); or
• Primary and secondary Proof of Identity; and
• Optus issued notification verifying your licence details were included in the data breach.

Most customers who have had their driver’s licence exposed through the Optus cyberattack will not need to change their driver’s licence number to remain secure.

The Government recognises, however, that people may still be concerned and is offering impacted customers the option to change your driver’s licence number. 

Issuing a new driver’s licence card with both a new licence number and card number will take some time as the systems across multiple agencies that rely on the driver’s licence number are updated and tested. 

We strongly encourage concerned customers to replace their WA driver’s licence card which will be issued with a new card number in the interim.

You must attend a DoT transport service centre or regional agent and apply using the Application for New Licence Number (E126) form.

This form will need to be presented in person by the licence holder with the following:

• One form of WA Government issued photographic identity document (e.g. WA driver’s licence or WA Photo Card); or
• Primary and secondary Proof of Identity; and
• Optus issued notification verifying your licence details were included in the data breach.

Changing a driver’s licence number is a complex process and there will be delays issuing a new number as systems are updated and tested. For more information about action taken by DoT, please refer to the fact sheet below.

DoT will work with other key WA Government agencies to ensure your new driver’s licence number is shared as required.