Melbourne, VIC — 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.”
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What we are asking for
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
Steve Wright, Communications and Membership Manager
COTA Victoria & Seniors Rights Victoria
Telephone: +61 3 9655 2159
Email: communications@cotavic.org.au
Bryanna Connell, CEO
Barwon Community Legal Service
Telephone: 0407 512 001
Email: bryanna.connell@barwoncommunitylegal.org.au
About us
Council on the Ageing Victoria is the leading not-for-profit organisation representing the interests and rights of people aged over 50 in Victoria. For over 70 years, we have led government, corporate, and community thinking about the positive aspects of ageing in the state.
Today, our focus is on promoting opportunities for and protecting the legal rights of people 50+. We value ageing and embrace its opportunities for personal growth, contribution, and self-expression. This belief drives benefits to the nation and its states alongside communities, families, and individuals. https://cotavic.org.au
Seniors Rights Victoria is the key state-wide service dedicated to advancing the rights of older people and the early intervention into, or prevention of, elder abuse in our community. It is the only Community Legal Centre dedicated to preventing and responding to elder abuse within Victoria.
SRV has a team of experienced advocates, lawyers, and social workers who provide free information, advice, referral, legal advice, legal casework, and support to older people who are either at risk of or are experiencing elder abuse. SRV supports and empowers older people through the provision of legal advice directly to the older person. https://seniorsrights.org.au
Barwon Community Legal Service is an independent Community Legal Service that has provided free legal assistance to our community for 40 years. Our region spans Greater Geelong, Surf Coast, Colac Otway and the Bellarine. We provide legal advice and casework, community legal education and law reform. Since 2019, BCLS has convened the Barwon Elder Abuse Primary Prevention Network working to address elder abuse before it begins. https://barwoncommunitylegal.org.au