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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."
Wales Online
24-04-2025
- Automotive
- Wales Online
DVLA making big change to everyone's driving licences but millions are in the dark
DVLA making big change to everyone's driving licences but millions are in the dark The change will make use of security features that are built into modern smart phones, but many people don't know it's coming, a survey has claimed How the new wallet will look (Image: PA ) More than half of UK drivers surveyed as part of a recent poll have no idea about a major DVLA change which will soon be implemented. A new digital driving licence service is expected to be rolled out this summer, allowing people to show their photocard on mobile devices instead of carrying the physical counterpart. But, despite the announcement coming in January, which WalesOnline reported on at the time here, a 1,000-person survey carried out by Regtransfers, a private number plate supplier, found that 57% were uninformed about the impending digitalisation. Traditional physical documents will remain available, however. CEO of Regtransfers, Mark Trimbee, explained: "There's no escaping the fact that our lives are being lived in an increasingly digitised space. Putting our driving licences on our phones feels like a natural next step, especially when so many of us already rely on mobiles for everything from banking to boarding passes. For money-saving tips, sign up to our Money newsletter here Article continues below "That said, a driving licence isn't just another app - it's a key part of our identity. Our data shows that a lot of people still don't know much about the government's proposed changes. "That kind of gap in awareness can naturally lead to concerns or reluctance to adopt. It's important the government takes the time to explain how it all works, what the benefits are, and - perhaps most importantly - how people's data will be kept safe. "The more informed people are, the more confident they'll feel about using these new tools. "I think people should be free to choose whatever they feel most comfortable with. "While a digital driving licence certainly would be convenient in many cases, a card licence doesn't run the risk of being completely inaccessible if my phone breaks or runs out of battery." The technology will make use of security features that are built into modern smart phones, including facial recognition checks similar to those used when people pay using a digital bank card. It means that digital documents will be more secure, even if a device is lost. Digital documents held in the Wallet, like a driver's licence or someone's proof of benefits, will be able to be used just as physical documents are, if people choose to. It will be available on and Android. The Wallet will allow digital credentials to be accessed immediately after successful application, rather than waiting for them to arrive in the post, and avoid valuable documents being lost in house moves or behind filing cabinets. A mobile driver's licence will be piloted later in 2025, and all government services will have to offer a digital alternative alongside paper or card credentials by the end of 2027 under plans set out by the blueprint for digital government. Article continues below It comes alongside a planned summer, 2025, launch of a app designed to make it even simpler for people to navigate the website, access government information and complete essential tasks from their phone. The new App will remember users' activity to offer a "more convenient, and personalised experience of interacting with government", with future additions also set to include an AI-powered chatbot, Chat, ways to make payments and timely notifications and reminders about services.
