Digital driving licences are expected to launch this year, allowing drivers to access their licence on smartphones through a government app’s virtual wallet. However, physical licences will remain available, and the digital option will not be compulsory.
The government aims to modernise public services, highlighting the enhanced security of digital identities over traditional physical documents. Digital licences could also serve as identification for voting or boarding domestic flights. Robust security measures, including biometric scanning and multifactor authentication, will ensure high levels of protection.
In the future, the app could integrate additional services, such as tax payments and benefits claims. However, ministers have ruled out the introduction of mandatory national ID cards.
Similar systems are already in place in countries like Australia and Denmark, while EU member states are required to implement digital IDs by 2026.