{"id":29406,"date":"2025-01-20T16:43:09","date_gmt":"2025-01-20T16:43:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.simplybusiness.co.uk\/?post_type=knowledge&p=29406"},"modified":"2025-05-22T13:04:02","modified_gmt":"2025-05-22T13:04:02","slug":"uk-launches-digital-driving-licences","status":"publish","type":"knowledge","link":"https:\/\/www.simplybusiness.co.uk\/knowledge\/vehicles\/uk-launches-digital-driving-licences\/","title":{"rendered":"UK launches digital driving licences"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The UK government is set to introduce digital driving licenses in an effort to \u201ctransform public services” through technology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The digital license will come as part of a new government app, called Gov.uk, set to be launched later this year. Developers are also considering integrating other government services into the app \u2013 such as tax payments and benefit claims.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Early reports suggest that the digital ID could be used to vote, board domestic flights, and buy alcohol \u2013 with the option to integrate with supermarket technology to approve your own purchases without a member of staff.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Getting a digital ID will be voluntary and will be available for both provisional and full driving licenses. Existing physical driving licences will not be phased out. A source close to the project revealed: \u201cThis is not about replacing the photocard but giving people the option of having their licence on their phone and allowing them a new way to prove their identity and age.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

UK drivers are already able to apply for a licence, pay road tax, and check their licence status online. And while there\u2019s no legal requirement to carry your licence with you when driving, you\u2019re required to produce a valid licence to a police officer within seven days if requested to.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Privacy concerns<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Previous discussions surrounding digital IDs have sparked privacy concerns but the app is set to use similar technology to online banking apps. The use of biometrics and multifactor authentication will create added security when logging in, so only the owner of the ID will be able to access it on the app.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A government spokesperson says that: \u201cTechnology now makes it possible for digital identities to be more secure than physical ones, but we remain clear that they will not be made mandatory.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The public seem to agree, with a recent poll for The Times Crime and Justice Commission<\/a> revealing that 53 per cent of people are in favour of a universal digital ID \u2013 and only 19 per cent against it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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53%<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

in favour of a digital ID system<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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<\/span>\"\"
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25%<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

strongly<\/strong> in favour of a digital ID system<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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<\/span>\"\"
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19%<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

against a digital ID system<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Further security measures are being explored \u2013 such as an option for users to toggle their address on or off depending on the situation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

International demand<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The UK isn\u2019t the only country experimenting with digital licences. Digital IDs are already being used in Australia, Denmark, Iceland, Norway, and certain US states.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By 2026, every European Union member state will be required to introduce at least one form of digital ID.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, motoring experts are expecting that physical driving licences will still be needed when driving abroad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jack Cousens, head of roads policy at the AA, said: \u201cThere are clearly some benefits of having a digital licence, especially if you are pulled over by the police and need to show your documents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHowever, it may be some time before it could be used and accepted abroad. Drivers already feel embarrassed if they\u2019ve left their licence at home when hiring a car on holiday, but they\u2019ll be annoyed if their digital licence won\u2019t be accepted.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

More driving news<\/h3>\n\n\n\n