UK to Launch Voluntary Digital Driving Licences on Gov.uk App for 50 Million Holders

Jan 18, 2025, 11:50 AM

The UK government is set to introduce digital driving licences later this year, accessible via a new smartphone app called Gov.uk. This initiative aims to transform public services by allowing the digital licences to serve as a form of ID for various activities, including purchasing alcohol, voting, and boarding domestic flights. The digital licences will be voluntary, and physical licences will continue to be issued. The government emphasizes that the digital identity will not be mandatory, and the app will feature security measures similar to those used in banking apps, including biometrics and multifactor authentication. The move is part of broader plans to integrate other services into the app, such as tax payments and benefits claims, affecting the more than 50 million driving licence holders in the UK.