Drivers will be able to access their licence on a new government smartphone app, which will also be accepted as a form of ID to prove their right to drive.
Read on to find out more about digital driving licences in the UK and how they will affect you.
What is a digital driving licence?
A digital driving licence is a version of your driving licence that exists in an online/app format, accessible through a smartphone or other smart devices.
It is an alternative to the physical plastic card, offering a convenient and secure way to prove your identity and driving entitlement.
Drivers will continue to receive provisional and full photocard driving licences, with digital versions initially being optional.
Led by the Department of Science and Technology, the Government is exploring the possibility of consolidating various state services into a single app, including benefits claims and tax payments.
The UK government is introducing a GOV.UK Wallet and App to streamline access to services and documents, such as digital driver’s licences, while implementing public sector technology reforms aimed at saving £45 billion and boosting efficiency and growth.
Science Secretary Peter Kyle announced that a mobile driver’s licence will be one of the first digital documents available in the GOV.UK Wallet, launching later this year. It will eventually enable people to verify their age using their phone, both in stores and online.
Currently, around 50 million people in the UK hold a full or provisional driving licence.
How will digital driving licences work in the UK?
Drivers will be given the choice of using a physical or digital copy of their driving licence. This can be used to prove your right to drive or as proof of age when buying age restricted items.
Once fully released, the digital driving licence will be available through a UK government app, where drivers can view their driving record, check endorsements, and renew their licence.
Much like other digital apps, it is designed to offer security features, such as two-factor authentication, to prevent misuse.
If you're pulled over by the police or need to prove your driving entitlement for insurance purposes, you can show the digital version, provided the officer or institution accepts it.
Your digital driving licence is regularly updated to reflect any changes in your driving status, such as penalty points or endorsements.
What is GOV.UK Wallet?
Digital documents stored in the GOV.UK Wallet, such as a driver’s licence or proof of benefits, can be used in the same way as physical documents.
The wallet will be available on iOS and Android, with a Digital Veteran Card for former service personnel launching later in 2025.
A mobile driver’s licence will be piloted in 2025, and by the end of 2027, all government services will be required to offer a digital alternative alongside paper or card credentials, as outlined in the digital government blueprint.
The GOV.UK Wallet will enable users to access their digital credentials immediately after successful application, eliminating the wait for them to arrive by post and reducing the risk of important documents being lost during house moves or tucked away in filing cabinets.
Backed by the security and identity verification features of GOV.UK One Login, the GOV.UK Wallet ensures that only the rightful owner can access their documents.
Why are digital driving licences being introduced?
Digital driving licences are being launched as part of a wider government push to streamline access to important services and documents,
Digital driving licences will not replace the physical driving licences (such as photocards) but instead be an option for drivers who want to access their licence via their smartphone.
These licences can feature advanced security measures like encryption and two-factor authentication, making them harder to forge or lose compared to physical cards.
The main reason for this is security and protecting people’s identities.
Other benefits include being easily accessed on a smartphone, eliminating the need to carry a physical card and making it easier to prove your identity.
Countries that have already adopted digital driving licences include Australia, Denmark, Iceland, and Norway.
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