Identity security

All WA driver's licence cards include 2 different numbers:

• the driver’s licence number on the front of the card
• a unique card number printed on the back of the card that is changed every time a new licence card is produced.

Both numbers are required for a person’s identity to pass the Australian Government’s Document Verification Service (DVS) check.

The DVS is used by organisations, such as financial service providers, banks and telecommunications companies to verify the authenticity of Government issued credentials.

Replacing or renewing your licence changes your card number, preventing your old driver’s licence card being used to pass a DVS check.

Note: If you’ve renewed or replaced your driver’s licence card recently and haven’t provided the new card details to the organisation affected by the data breach, you may not need to replace your card again.

How to replace your card

You can order a driver’s licence card or learner’s permit card online using DoTDirect.

You can also replace a driver’s licence at a Driver and Vehicle Services centre, regional DoT office or agent using the Application for Replacement/Certified Copy of Driver’s Licence, Learner’s Permit of Learner Log Book (DL26) form.

You may need to pay a fee to replace your driver’s licence card.

Note: Concession holders and clients who are victims of identity fraud can get a certified copy of their driver’s licence or learner’s permit, with or without a new licence number. To qualify, they need to provide proof of identity fraud, such as:

• an Identity Crime Certificate from a State or Federal Court, or
• a letter from law enforcement confirming the fraud involved their licence or permit information.

A driver’s licence block is a feature that protects your driver’s licence or learner’s permit information, by controlling when they can be used for identity verification through the Australian Government’s Document Verification Service (DVS).

You can add a licence block to your driver’s licence or learner’s permit when:

• your data has been compromised in data breach
• you have experienced identity fraud
• your driver’s licence card or permit has been lost or stolen
• you are concerned about the security of your licence or permit information.

When a block is in place, any attempt to use your driver’s licence for identity verification will be declined if the organisation uses the DVS. Your authority to drive is not affected by having a block on your driver’s licence. 

How to add and remove a driver’s licence block

You can add and remove a driver’s licence block anytime using DoTDirect by navigating to the Protect your identity section on the Driver’s licence page.

If you have placed a block on your Iicence or permit and need to access a benefit or service from an organisation that uses the DVS, you will need to temporarily lift the block or use an alternative identity document.

To remove a licence block navigate to the Protect your identity section on the Driver’s licence page in DoTDirect and select Remove licence block.

Does the block apply to all cards issued by WA Department of Transport?

A licence block can only be applied to your driver’s licence and learner’s permits.

It can’t be applied to WA Photo Cards and Extraordinary licences, as these documents don’t verify through the DVS.

If you renew or replace your driver’s licence or learner’s permit, the block will remain in place until you lift it. You don’t need to re-add the block when you receive a new card.

If you’re a victim of identity fraud that involved the use of your driver’s licence or learner’s permit information, you may be able to change your licence number.

Identity fraud involves someone taking over another person’s identity to commit fraud or creating false identities for criminal activities. For example, identity fraud can result in someone using another individual’s identity to open a bank account, get a credit card, or apply for a passport.

The Department of Transport (DoT) will only consider an application for a change of driver’s licence number if you can provide evidence demonstrating the fraudulent use of your driver’s licence details, including an:

• Identity Crime Certificate issued by a State or Federal Court; or
• Letter from a law enforcement agency confirming you have been a victim of identity fraud and that involved the use of your driver’s licence information. 

Your driver’s licence number will not be changed if you are the victim of identity theft. Identity theft is where driver’s licence details have been obtained by a third party (due to a data breach or other means), but there is no evidence of the details being used fraudulently.

How to change your driver’s licence number

To apply to change your driver’s licence number, you must attend a Driver and Vehicle Services centre, regional DoT office or agent and submit an Application for New Driver’s Licence Number (E126) form. 

You will also need to present: 

• Primary and secondary proof of identity; and
• Identity Crime Certificate issued by a State or Federal Court; or 
• Letter from a law enforcement agency confirming you have been a victim of identity fraud and that the identity fraud involved the use of your driver’s licence information.

Find out more about how you can protect your identity:

• Australian Cyber Security Centre
• Moneysmart
• Office of the Australian Information Commissioner
• Scamwatch
• WA Police
• IDCARE