eID pilot project – Appenzell Ausserrhoden to issue electronic provisional driving licence
Bern, 03.05.2024 - The Canton of Appenzell Ausserrhoden is to issue the provisional driving licence for learner drivers in digital format. The Federal Office of Justice (FOJ) and the Federal Roads Office (FEDRO), together with the Association of Swiss Road Traffic Offices (asa) and the driver and vehicle licensing office of the Canton of Appenzell Ausserrhoden are launching the digital licence with a view to developing the system of state-recognised, electronic credentials (eID). The new document was presented at a joint press conference in Herisau (AR) on 3 May 2024.
Anyone who has passed the theory test for passenger cars (Category B) in the canton of Appenzell Ausserrhoden can now obtain their provisional driving licence in digital format. The electronic licence (ePDL) is issued by the driver and vehicle licensing office of the Canton of Appenzell Ausserrhoden (AR) and is stored in an electronic wallet on the holder's smartphone. The document can be verified, for example by a driving instructor at the start of a driving lesson or by the police in a traffic check, by means of a QR code that transmits the relevant data. The ePDL is valid throughout Switzerland and the Principality of Liechtenstein.
The ePDL is part of a pilot project to develop state-recognised, electronic credentials (eID). The project has been launched by the Federal Office of Justice (FOJ) and the Federal Roads Office (FEDRO) in collaboration with the Association of Swiss Road Traffic Offices (asa) and the driver and vehicle licensing office of the Canton of Appenzell Ausserrhoden. The new document was presented at a joint press conference on 3 May in Herisau (AR) in the presence of Appenzell Ausserrhoden Cantonal Councillor Katrin Alder and FEDRO Deputy Director Lorenzo Cascioni.
The electronic wallet required for the ePDL and the supporting IT systems were developed by the federal government in collaboration with asa. The wallet is based on the trust infrastructure provided by the Federal Office of Information Technology, Systems and Telecommunication (FOITT). FEDRO and asa plan to expand the pilot project to all cantons and vehicle categories in 2025.
ePDL - further development of the eID
The main features of the eID are expected to function in the same way as the ePDL, which is being used to test various practical aspects before the eID goes live. The pilot project seeks to provide insights not only into the technical aspects of the eID, but also how users deal with a digital identity document. The experience gained will be incorporated into eID product development.
The ePDL is a continuation of federal government trials for testing and developing the eID. The eID for federal government employees was tested back in 2022. In addition, authorities and companies have been able to gain experience with the planned trust infrastructure in a test environment provided by the federal government since March 2023.
The eID programme is managed by the FOJ. The relevant legislation was approved by the National Council on 19 March and is currently being debated in the Council of States. The eID is expected to come into use at the same time the new eID law comes into force, probably in 2026. A trust infrastructure will be set up for the eID, which will allow authorities and private individuals to issue other types of electronic certificates in addition to the ePDL.
Address for enquiries
Rolf Rauschenbach
eID Press Officer
T +41 58 465 31 20
rolf.rauschenbach@bj.admin.ch
Publisher
Federal Office of Justice
http://www.bj.admin.ch
Federal Roads Authority
http://www.astra.admin.ch
The Federal Office of Information Technology, Systems and Telecommunication
http://www.bit.admin.ch
