Latest news with #digitalDrivingLicence
The Sun
17-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Sun
Major driving licence change for 50 MILLION Brits to be launched this summer – check how to apply now
A MASSIVE shake-up to driving licences for nearly 50 million Brits is gearing up to launch this summer – and it could change how you prove your identity, drive, and even buy booze. The Government has confirmed that it will begin rolling out digital driving licences as part of a major tech upgrade aimed at modernising public services. 3 3 The move will affect around 50 million Brits who currently hold a provisional or full driving licence. Initially, the digital version will sit alongside existing plastic photocards, which will remain valid, but it's expected to eventually be accepted in all the same situations, such as hiring a car, proving your age, or showing ID at the airport. When are digital driving licences coming? A Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) spokesman confirmed to This is Money that a digital driving licence will arrive later this year. "The Wallet will be launched this summer with the first credential being a digital Veteran card. "Later in the year, we plan to begin rolling out a digital driving licence, which will eventually be usable for everything your paper licence is currently used for. "We're working closely with DVLA and industry to meet this timeline." Is it compulsory to get one? Importantly, the department also made it clear that the digital version is not compulsory. Those who prefer to keep using their plastic cards can continue doing so. The aim is to offer flexibility while making life easier for people who already use their smartphones for banking, health services and travel. Once launched, drivers who wish to get the digital version will need to download the Wallet app from official app stores. After that, they'll be asked to verify their identity using facial recognition, upload any necessary documents and follow a few simple steps. Once approved, your licence will appear on your phone and be ready to use. It's expected to work similarly to existing digital railcards, giving people quick access to their details and allowing for instant updates. You'll also be able to view things like your driving record, renewal dates, and any endorsements through the app. The change is part of a wider plan to save the Government billions by moving services online. According to ministers, the goal is to improve how people interact with official services and help achieve efficiency savings of up to £45 billion. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander has described the change as a 'game changer' for the millions who rely on their licence daily, particularly for ID purposes. She said having a secure, digital version on your phone is the natural next step in a digital age. Despite the potential benefits, some concerns have been raised. Critics worry that moving to digital documents could exclude older people or those without smartphones, particularly in rural areas with patchy signal. There are also fears about what might happen if your phone runs out of battery or gets stolen. Research by Quotezone revealed that the nation is split over the idea. Around 49 per cent support the change, but 47 per cent are against it — with many citing concerns over security and data sharing. Some users also prefer the reassurance of having a physical card, particularly when travelling abroad, where digital licences may not yet be accepted. Still, DSIT has stressed that the Wallet will have robust security, using the same kind of two-factor authentication found in most banking apps. And if you ever lose your phone, your licence can be remotely deactivated, preventing anyone else from accessing it. Privacy campaigners have also raised the alarm over how much personal data could be stored in one place. The government says no one will be forced to use the digital wallet and that only those who actively choose to download the app will need to upload their ID. Over time, the app will be expanded to include other important documents too, such as Blue Badges, PIP letters, DBS checks, and even marriage or birth certificates. Officials hope that by 2027, people will be able to manage most of their key government documents all from one place. The last big shake-up to licences happened back in 1998 when the paper version was replaced by the plastic photocard. In 2015, the paper counterpart was scrapped altogether. This new digital rollout marks the biggest change in nearly three decades. Applications for the digital driving licence will open once the Wallet goes live later this summer. DSIT says a full announcement will be made nearer the time. Drivers are being urged to only download the official app from Apple or Google Play to avoid scams or fake versions. A recent poll of 1,000 motorists by Regtransfers found that fewer than half — just 43 per cent — even knew the change was coming. As the rollout approaches, ministers say public awareness will grow, especially as more services begin to link into the new system. Meanwhile, the European Union is working on its own version of a digital driving licence, which could eventually make cross-border travel easier. That rollout would affect over 440 million drivers — showing just how fast digital ID is becoming the norm across Europe. For now, though, UK drivers are being given the choice, not the requirement,to switch.
Daily Mail
16-05-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Mail
Digital driving licence arrive soon: Will physical ID still be valid?
Forgetting your driving licence will soon be a thing of the past. Digital smartphone driving licences are on course to arrive later this year, This is Money can confirm. The major update is part of a new ' Wallet and App' that will prove your right to drive, your age, and access key government documents - but don't panic if you want to stick with plastic because physical IDs will still be valid. The digitalisation reforms aim to 'improve ways for people to interact with the Government digitally' and help a push towards efficiency savings targets of £45billion. Transport Secretary, Heidi Alexander said: 'This is a game changer for the millions of people who use their driving licence as ID.' So, we've rounded up everything you need to know about getting a digital driving licence, including the pros and cons. When are digital driving licences coming? Is it compulsory to get one? A Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) spokesman confirmed to This is Money that a digital driving licence will arrive later this year. 'The Wallet will be launched this summer with the first credential being a digital Veteran card. 'Later in the year, we plan to begin rolling out a digital driving licence, which will eventually be usable for everything your paper licence is currently used for. 'We're working closely with DVLA and industry to meet this timeline.' DSIT also confirmed to us that digital driving licences won't be compulsory. 'There are no plans to make the Wallet, or digitised documents mandatory, and physical documents will remain an option for those who prefer them,' the spokesperson clarified. What is a digital driving licence? And how does it work? A digital driving licence is a free (no need to pay) electronic version of your driving licence that is accessible via an app on your smartphone. It's accessed through the Government's online ( Wallet app and will be compatible with both and Android. Essentially, it's similar to the new digital railcards. You'll be able to check renewals, your driving record and endorsements on the app too. The app will use two-factor security checks already built into modern smartphones like facial recognition to make sure documents are secure and are only accessed by the right person. The app will also remember users' activity so you'll have a more convenient and personalised experience, and in future there will also be an AI-powered chatbot - ' Chat' to help with services and payments. What are the benefits of digital driving licences? An estimated 50million Britons hold a full or provisional driving licence, so moving to a digital form comes with pros for some and cons for others. Research by Quotezone recently found Britons are divided over the introduction of digital driving licences: 49 per cent of respondents welcome the change, but 47 per cent are against it. There are some obvious benefits, with the first one being the fact you don't have to carry around a physical ID. As banking, health services, and many other daily services are already on your phone it's a handy natural step to have your driving licence on your phone too and not in a physical wallet. Even if you lost your phone you can't lose your app login and digital driving licence on the app. A smartphone app is also easy to access, and will store all your driving licence details and documents in one place and under one login. It also comes with enhanced security and two-factor authentication. You'll be able to immediately cancel documents if you realise they've been stolen. What are the concerns with digital driving licences? Although there are many benefits, big changes like this come with considerations. There's a concern it's another step towards a digital society that's leaving older generations behind, in a similar way to how cashless parking is. Car finance provider CarMoney is particularly worried that those without regular access to smartphones or the confidence to use them might struggle. Older drivers and people living in rural areas with patchy mobile coverage are likely to face the biggest hurdles. However, plastic driving licences will still be valid. Quotezone found 87 per cent of respondents prefer physical driving licences. There's potential for access issues too, and there's of course a reliance on your phone being charged. If you run out of charge at a critical moment you won't be able to show your ID. This could lead to similar problems as to when your phone runs out of charge and you can't show your digital train ticket. Many people will also be concerned around security and data sharing through a personal platform, and that people's activity could be monitored. Why is the new Wallet useful for drivers? While many parts of the Wallet and digitalisation of documents is helpful, for motorists the digital driving licence part of the app is particularly useful. Because you'll be able to build a personalised dashboard for all services related to your car. For instance on your dashboard you'll be able to apply for road tax, look at MOT information or view your driving records – it's a hub for car ownership too. When was the last time there was a change to driving licences? The last time there was a major change to driving licences was 27 years ago. In 1998 the DVLA replaced the old-style paper licence with today's plastic photocard and a paper counterpart. Then in 2015 the paper part was stopped, mainly to make sure that there wasn't a reliance on out-of-date pieces of paper during essential checks. What other digital documents are arriving? The Veteran Card – proof that a person has served in the armed forces - will be the first digital document to be issued, followed by the digital driving licence. However, Science Secretary Peter Kyle has set out plans for the Wallet to also include DBS checks and every other credential issued by the government by the end of 2027. Again, these are only 'for those who choose to use them', and traditional physical documents will remain available for those who wish to continue to use them. When do you have to apply for a digital driving licence? And how? There'll be an announcement when the Wallet is launched this summer. Then when digital driving licences arrive later this year you'll need to download the Wallet App from Apple or Google Play App stores – but make sure you only use the official ones. You'll then need to verify your identity, upload relevant documents and complete facial recognition. Once your application has been processed you'll be able to access your digital driving licence on your smartphone and use the other services. A new study found that only 43% of motorists realised that a move to digital documentation is coming, and soon Do people know digital driving licences are coming? This is Money will cover the move closer to the time too, but the recent announcements by the government seem to have gone unnoticed by a lot of drivers. A a survey of 1,000 motorists released last month by Regtransfers revealed that just 43 per cent of drivers with a full or provisional licence are aware of the move to digital documentation. The EU is also working on digital driving licences which will help raise awareness. But if 50 million drivers seems like a lot for the UK government to deal with, the EU is working to digitalise the licences of a whopping 440 million drivers - almost 10 times the amount!
