What is the UK Digital Driving Licence?

Ever rummaged through your wallet at the checkout, only to realise you've forgotten your driving licence? Those days are nearly behind us. In 2025, the UK government announced that digital driving licences would roll out by the end of the year — part of a broader vision to modernise public services and deliver an estimated £45 billion in efficiency savings.

The new digital licence will live in the GOV.UK Wallet app, complementing the physical plastic card (which will remain available). But this isn’t just a tech upgrade — it’s a sign of things to come.

What Is the Digital Driving Licence?

The digital driving licence is an official, secure version of your existing licence, stored on your smartphone. It’s designed to make identification and everyday admin easier — especially for younger drivers who often need to prove their age or address.

Key points:

• Stored securely in the GOV.UK Wallet app.
• Available for provisional licence holders first, expanding later.
• Free to use and optional — the plastic card remains valid.
• Will be accessible offline (e.g. even if your phone has no signal).

Why It Matters: The Benefits

The digital licence is a step towards a more connected and responsive public service infrastructure. Benefits include:

• 🧾 Paperless verification: Faster ID checks for things like hiring a car or proving your address.
• 🛡️ Privacy-first design: You can share only the data needed for a specific check — not your full licence.
• 🔄 Real-time updates: No waiting for a card to arrive — status changes update instantly in the app.
• 🚗 Reduced fraud: Secure digital credentials make forgery far harder than with physical cards.

Meet the GOV.UK Wallet

The GOV.UK Wallet is a new, secure digital wallet app that stores government-issued credentials, including:

• Driving licences (starting with provisional).
• Veteran ID cards (Summer 2025).
• DBS checks, Blue Badges, and more by 2027.

It’s part of a broader transformation led by the Government Digital Service (GDS), using modern identity verification standards to give people more control over their documents and personal data.

You’ll be able to:

• Prove who you are quickly, without revealing unnecessary information.
• Keep credentials secure and always available on your device.
• Share only what’s needed (e.g. age verification without disclosing your address).

The GOV.UK App

The GOV.UK App — separate from the Wallet — acts as your personalised dashboard for interacting with central government services. Think:

• Tax updates.
• Passport renewals.
• Reminders for MOTs, benefits, and more.

Together with the Wallet, it’s part of a vision where public services are proactive, personal, and accessible — much like the best private-sector digital experiences.

What’s Next? The 2027 Vision

By the end of 2027, the GOV.UK Wallet is expected to support nearly every major government-issued credential, including:

• Digital ID for online services and travel.
• DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checks.
• Blue Badges for disabled parking.
• Marriage and birth certificates.
• Right to Work and Right to Rent credentials.

It aligns with similar initiatives across the EU and Commonwealth, where governments are digitising core identity systems while prioritising security, interoperability, and user trust.