A major driving licence shakeup set to affect more than 40 million people will be introduced by the UK government later this year. Drivers will soon be able to store their driving licence digitally, following the launch of a new government app that will also store their ID.
Officials have previously indicated the new smartphone-based licence could generate savings of approximately £45 billion. The digital licence will be incorporated into the Gov.uk App and Wallet, providing users with straightforward access to crucial documents including their driving licence and MOT expiry dates.
As well as this, supermarkets are preparing to accept the digital ID for age verification when making purchases. When the initiative was unveiled in 2025, Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said: "This is a game changer for the millions of people who use their driving licence as ID."
"The innovation puts power back in the hands of the people, making everyday interactions faster, easier, and more secure. We are delivering on the Plan for Change by making public services work for everyone."
Supporting both iOS and Android devices, the GOV.UK Wallet is set to transform how personal identification and vehicle documentation are stored and displayed. The digital driving licence will be treated as a direct equivalent to the traditional plastic card and accepted as a valid form of identification.
Those already in possession of plastic licences need not worry, however, as drivers will not be compelled to dispose of their existing cards. Physical licences will continue to be issued, with digital licences remaining optional, at least initially.
The digital licence app does bring added advantages, including the ability to review driving records, check endorsements and renew licences, all within a single platform. Licence holders will be able to monitor penalty points through the app, which will also incorporate encryption and two-factor authentication to make counterfeiting considerably more difficult, while also making it simpler for motorists to access their personal details.
The GOV.UK Wallet is not yet available for use, though officials confirm that certain users will be able to access it shortly. Government guidance adds: "You will be able to use GOV.UK Wallet to: securely save government issued digital documents, [and to] show these documents to organisations, businesses and other parts of government to prove things such as your age, identity, or eligibility for services."
Digital versions of documents can be used in the same way as paper or card versions, though Government bosses have added that using GOV.UK Wallet will be entirely optional. A full public rollout is widely anticipated within the coming months.
