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North Wales Live
19-05-2025
- Automotive
- North Wales Live
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 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 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 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."
Daily Record
19-05-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Record
Driving licence update that will affect 50 million Brits - what you need to know
Motorists in the UK residents will soon see a significant shift in how they can use their driving licences. The Government is set to unveil an innovative mobile application, enabling users to access a digital version of their licence and identification. Authorities are optimistic that the digital driver's licence platform could yield considerable cost savings, forecasted at approximately £45 billion. Integrated within the pre-existing App and Wallet, the digital solution strives to provide an effortless way to retrieve critical documents, including driving credentials and MOT deadlines. The introduction of digital ID is also anticipated to influence retail practices, with supermarkets recognising it for age verification during sales transactions. Transport secretary Heidi Alexander welcomed the endeavour, calling it a "game changer". "This is a game changer for the millions of people who use their driving licence as ID," she noted. "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 The Mirror reported, the blueprint for the digital wallet was revealed in January, with certain features set to be tested by early users later this year. Military veterans will be among the first groups to reap the benefits, as the app will grant them immediate access to their HM Armed Forces Veteran Card on their mobile devices. The initiative aims to simplify the process of verifying veteran status, thereby facilitating easier access to the support and entitlements they deserve. The Wallet will be compatible with both iOS and Android devices. The digital driving licence will be acknowledged as an equivalent to the conventional plastic licence and will be accepted as a form of ID. However, those who already possess plastic licences will still be able to use them, as drivers are not being compelled to discard their existing cards. Physical licences will continue to be issued, with digital licences being optional during the initial phase of its launch. The digital licence app does offer extra perks such as the ability to review their driving record, endorsements, and renewing the licence, all in one convenient location. Users will have the ability to check penalty points via the app, which will incorporate encryption and two-factor authentication to enhance security and deter forgery. The app is also designed to simplify access to drivers' details. In a statement released earlier this year, the Government emphasised that the Wallet is "underpinned" by robust security and identity verification measures. The Government further stated: "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."
Daily Mirror
19-05-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Mirror
A major driving licence change is about to hit 50 million people
Millions will see a major change to how they use their driving licence with the UK government hoping it will result in savings of an estimated £45 billion A major driving licence change is coming into force with it expected to affect 50 million people. The UK government is launching a new app that will allow motorists to store a digital driving licence as well as their ID. Government officials hope the smartphone licence will save an estimated £45 billion. The licence will be a part of the App and Wallet and will allow users to access their documents such as the licence and MOT dates. Supermarkets will also accept the ID as a way to verify the person's age when they make purchases. "This is a game changer for the millions of people who use their driving licence as ID," Transport Secretary, Heidi Alexander, previously 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." Government officials made the announcement in January although some of the wallet's features will be able to be accessed by among its first users during a pilot phase this year. Among the first who will be able to get access to the app will be veterans who will be able to have access to their HM Armed Forces Veteran Card via their smartphone. The government said it would make it easier for their veteran status to be verified and allow them to access the support and benefits they are entitled to. The Wallet, will be available on and Android devices. The digital driving licence will be viewed as an equal version of the traditional plastic licence and will be accepted as a form of ID. But those who already own plastic licences will still be able to use them as drivers are not being forced to get rid of their existing cards. Physical licences will continue to be issued with digital licences being optional in the early phase of its release. The digital licence app does offer additional advantages such as being able to review their driving record, endorsements as well as renewing the licence, all in a single place. People will be able to view penalty points on the app which will also feature an encryption and two-factor authentication in a bid to make forgery more difficult to accomplish 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 Walley 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."
Metro
18-05-2025
- Automotive
- Metro
Driving licence change affecting 50,000,000 people set to launch within months
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video UK motorists are about to see a huge change to the way they prove their identity and even buy alcohol as part of a new app. Losing the plastic driving licence can be too easy to do, but that will soon be a thing of the past when the new smartphone licence launches as part of the government's digital push to save £45,000,000,000. The new licence will be part of the App and Wallet, where people can access their documents and important details like the licence, MOT dates and benefits payments. It can even be used in supermarkets and websites to verify ID and age. The government first revealed the digital overhaul in January, saying the changes will happen later this year. However, some aspects of the digital wallet will be ready for the first users this summer. The first to get access to the app will be veterans, who can use the wallet for the digital veteran card. This will be followed by an 'early version' of the digital driving licence, but not exact date has been announced yet. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said: 'This is a game changer for the millions of people who use their driving licence as ID. '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 It will be an online version of the traditional plastic licence that will be available on the app to show to prove the right to drive. It will also be accepted as a form of ID. Around 50,000,000 people in the UK have a full or a provisional driving licence. All drivers must have a correct and valid driving licence before getting behind the wheel. And of course, motorists must meet the minimum age for doing so as well as meet the eyesight rules. Drivers don't need to have their license in their pocket when on the road, but if stopped by an officer, they must take them to a police station within seven days. But drivers are not forced to ditch the traditional licence cards as the new digi card will be optional. Physical provisional and full photocard licence will continue to be issued, with digital licences being optional initially. The digital driving licence app offers perks like viewing your driving record, endorsements and renewing the licence in one place. It will also show penalty points, while the app is set to feature encryption and two-factor authentication to make forgery more difficult. The Wallet will house documents like the veteran card, DBS checks and all other credentials issued by the government once it has fully launched. More Trending Traditional documents will still be available and valid, the government said. Users can access their documents straight away when applying rather than waiting for them in the post. In the future, the App can be used to cancel a stolen passport, find an apprenticeship or apply for benefits. Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: Safety charity wants to cut speed limits to 10mph on thousands of miles of roads MORE: 'Uber has innovated so hard… they invented a bus' MORE: The UK's 'much needed' only floating train line reopens after eight months
