Britain will introduce digital driving licences later this year as part of a broader initiative to utilize data for transforming public services, the government announced on Tuesday. The digital licences will be accessible through a new GOV.UK digital wallet on smartphones, allowing users to easily prove their age for purchasing restricted items and confirm their right to drive.
The government noted that built-in features of smartphone security, including facial recognition, ensure that digital copies of documents will still be secure, even if lost. The remainder of government issued credentials, veterans cards and criminal record checks are to be phased in by 2027 while physical copies can still be had.
The digital wallet will be complemented by a government app that will be launched this summer. The app is expected to streamline services such as applying for childcare or reporting a lost passport. Science Secretary Peter Kyle said the GOV.UK wallet would allow for virtual issuance of government documents, making them more secure and easier to use.
“For those who choose to use the GOV.UK Wallet, proof of entitlement to benefits or age for alcohol will be more secure and trustworthy,” Kyle said. “This is also a major opportunity to simplify interactions with public services by putting individuals in control of their own data.”
A government review published on Tuesday estimated that full digitization of public services could yield over £45 billion ($55 billion) annually in savings and productivity gains. Digital driving licenses are already in use in countries like Australia, Denmark, Iceland, and several US states.
