Barwon Community Legal Service (BCLS), Council on the Ageing (COTA) Victoria, and Seniors Rights Victoria (SRV) are calling on the Victorian Government to ensure that no older Victorian loses their only recognised photo identification when surrendering their driver’s licence for medical reasons.

The organisations have written to Minister for Roads and Road Safety Paul Hamer and Minister for Seniors Nick Staikos, requesting the introduction of a ‘Pre-Surrender Identity Safeguard’ within the VicRoads Medical Review process. This reform would create one of Australia’s strongest protections against identity loss for older people who can no longer drive.  The safeguard would help ensure older people have continued, easy access to recognised photo identification before their driver licence is cancelled.

“For many people, giving up driving is already one of the hardest transitions of later life. Under the current system, it can also mean losing your only form of government-issued photo ID,” said CEO of COTA Victoria and SRV, Ben Rogers. “Many older Victorians don’t realise that surrendering their licence cancels their primary form of identification until it’s too late.

“The loss of driving has been found to lead to higher rates of social isolation, anxiety, and depression among older people,” Mr Rogers continued. “Losing photo ID at the same time compounds that distress, and potentially increases dependence on family, carers, or others for banking, identity checks, and everyday services – which, in turn, raises the risk of elder abuse. We need a system that empowers older Victorians, not one that makes their lives harder.”

While a Victorian Proof of Age card is available to those who need to surrender their licence, obtaining one requires a separate application, additional fees, waiting periods, and identity documents that many older Victorians no longer hold, leaving them facing an ‘identity cliff’.

“Many people surrendering their licence for medical reasons are already managing health or cognitive challenges,” said CEO of BCLS, Bryanna Connell. “Where government already holds verified identity information and a recent photograph, requiring a person to make a trip to obtain replacement ID creates an unnecessary burden.

“Allowing existing verified data to be reused, with consent, would remove a barrier and simplify the process,” Ms Connell continued. “This low-cost, high-impact reform would be particularly valuable for people in regional and rural Victoria, aged care residents, and people with limited mobility or transport options.”

The organisations are calling for the VicRoads Medical Review process to provide people with clear information about what surrendering their licence means for their identification and support them to secure replacement ID before their licence is cancelled. This includes adding an expiry date to the Victorian Proof of Age card, giving it a recognised structure similar to standard identification and supporting greater acceptance by banks, healthcare providers and government agencies.

Ms Connell added that broad community support would help ensure the voices of older Victorians were heard and meaningful change achieved.

“Giving up a driver’s licence should not mean giving up your identity. We encourage community organisations, seniors’ groups, service providers, and advocates across Victoria to join us in calling for this practical and achievable reform that protects people’s independence, dignity and access to essential services.”

What we are asking for:

1. A pre-surrender identity safeguard built into the VicRoads Medical Review process, so people are told upfront what giving up their licence means for their ID and are helped to secure replacement ID before it’s cancelled.
2. An expiry date added to the Victorian Proof of Age card, giving it the recognised structure of standard ID and greater acceptance by banks, healthcare providers and government agencies.
3. Reuse of existing verified government data (with consent), so people already known to VicRoads aren’t required to prove their identity again. This would play a critical system access role for those of non-English speaking backgrounds and/or with limited digital literacy.

For further information

Bryanna Connell
CEO
Barwon Community Legal Service
Telephone:  0407 512 001
Email: bryanna.connell@barwoncommunitylegal.org.au

Steve Wright
Communications and Membership Manager
COTA Victoria & Seniors Rights Victoria
Telephone: +61 3 9655 2159
Email: communications@cotavic.org.au

Join our campaign!

We are seeking your support for a targeted Victorian Government reform to prevent older people losing photo ID when surrendering their driver’s licence for medical reasons. This reform introduces a ‘Pre‑Surrender Identity Safeguard’ within the VicRoads Medical Review process, ensuring no person is left without valid photo identification at a critical life transition, along with secondary measures.

You can support this campaign in four simple ways:

• Send a support letter to a Minister or MP (templates included).
• Share a social media post.
• Submit a Letter to the Editor.
• Share a lived experience story or case study with us.

You do not need to do everything. Even one action helps.

Everything you need to know is contained in the No Victorian Left Without Photo ID Community Advocacy Campaign Toolkit.

If you take an action, or would like more information, please let us know. Contact Simon Crase via email at simon.crase@barwoncommunitylegal.org.au.