The UK government has announced plans to roll out digital driving licenses later this year as part of its efforts to leverage technology to modernize public services.
The digital licenses will be accessible through a virtual wallet within a government app, rather than being integrated into third-party platforms like Google or Apple wallets. These virtual licenses could serve as identification for activities such as voting, purchasing alcohol, or boarding domestic flights.
While physical driving licenses will still be issued, the government emphasized that the new digital option will remain voluntary. A government spokesperson stated: “Technology 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.”
The virtual wallet will incorporate advanced security measures, including smartphone-based biometrics and multi-factor authentication, to ensure only the license holder can access the app. Similar security standards are commonly found in banking applications.
Additional features being considered include hiding addresses when using licenses in certain settings, such as bars or shops, and utilizing digital IDs for age verification at supermarket self-checkouts.
The app may eventually expand to include other services, such as tax payments, benefits claims, and alternative forms of identification like national insurance numbers. However, the government has ruled out introducing compulsory national ID cards, a proposal that previously sparked privacy concerns.
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Privacy advocates, such as the campaign group Big Brother Watch, have criticized similar moves, with the organization previously describing digital ID systems as “one of the biggest assaults on privacy ever seen in the UK.”
Nearly 50 million UK residents currently hold a provisional or full driving license. The initiative aligns with similar programs in Australia, Denmark, Iceland, and Norway. Meanwhile, the European Union has mandated member states to develop at least one form of official digital identity by 2026, which could be used across the bloc.
This digital innovation reflects the UK’s commitment to harnessing technology to enhance convenience and security in everyday public services.
