Major driving licence change to hit 50 million Brits 'by 2026'
Around 50 million people in the UK could soon see a major change in how they utilise their driving licences, with the government planning to roll out a new app that allows drivers to use a digital version of their licence and ID.
Officials are hopeful that the digital driver's licence app could realise cost savings estimated at about £45 billion. Set to be incorporated into the existing Gov.uk App and Wallet, the digital solution aims to offer users an easy way to access essential documents like their driving licence and MOT due dates.
In a move that will also impact retail, the digital ID is expected to be recognised by supermarkets for age verification purposes during sales transactions. Transport secretary Heidi Alexander praised the initiative as a significant development for those who often rely on their driving licence as a form of identification.
"This is a game changer for the millions of people who use their driving licence as ID," she said. "The innovation puts power back in the hands of the people, making everyday interactions faster, easier, and more secure. We are delivering on the Plan for Change by making public services work for everyone."
As reported by The Mirror, plans for the digital wallet were unveiled in January, with select features slated to be trialled by early adopters sometime this year.
Military veterans will be among the initial groups to enjoy the benefits, with the app providing them instant access to their HM Armed Forces Veteran Card on their mobile devices.
The scheme is designed to streamline the process of verifying veteran status, thus making it easier for veterans to access the support and entitlements they are entitled to. The Gov.UK Wallet will be available on both iOS and Android devices.
The digital driving licence will be recognised as an equivalent to the traditional plastic licence and will be accepted as a form of ID. However, those who already have plastic licences will still be able to use them as drivers are not being forced to discard their existing cards.
Physical licences will continue to be issued with digital licences being optional in the initial phase of its launch. The digital licence app does offer additional benefits such as being able to review their driving record, endorsements as well as renewing the licence, all in one place.
Users will be able to view penalty points on the app which will also feature encryption and two-factor authentication in an effort to make forgery more difficult to achieve as well as claiming it will make it easier for drivers to access their details.
In its release shared earlier this year, the government said the Gov.UK Wallet is "underpinned" by security and identity verification measures.
It added: "Using a single sign on also means accessing government services will be much more straightforward, saving individuals and businesses money and hours of frustration so they can focus on what matters."
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