Digital driving licenses set to launch this year
A new smartphone app will house the virtual document, along with other government-issued credentials like veteran cards. Ministers aim for the scheme to simplify public access to certain services.
Digital driving licenses are set to be introduced later this year as part of plans to use technology to “transform” public services.
The licenses will be accessible through a new government mobile app and will serve as a valid form of ID for purchasing restricted items like alcohol, voting in elections, and confirming a person’s right to drive.
Veteran cards will also be included in the “GOV.UK Wallet” app when it launches this summer, with additional credentials such as DBS checks, Blue Badges, and other government-issued documents to be added in the future.
Science Secretary Peter Kyle stated that the app “will allow every letter or identity document you receive from the government to be issued to you virtually.”
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Why this is happening
The changes come in response to a report revealing that outdated technology has cost public services £45 billion in lost productivity savings.
The app is also designed to simplify access to government services, including applying for childcare and benefits, searching for apprenticeships, or reporting a lost passport.
Additional features will include notifications about new policies and service updates, with plans to potentially introduce an AI chatbot in the future to assist users with “complex and niche questions,” according to the government.
Can you still use physical documents?
Physical documents will remain available; however, the goal is for all government services to provide a digital alternative by the end of 2027.
The digital documents will leverage smartphone technologies, such as facial recognition, ensuring they are “more secure, even if the device is lost,” according to the government.
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