Britain is set to implement digital driving licenses this year

The government announced on Tuesday that digital driving licenses will be implemented in Britain later this year as part of an initiative to leverage data to enhance public services.

The license will be stored in a new GOV.UK digital wallet on smartphones, which will allow users to readily verify their age when purchasing age-restricted items and to verify their right to drive.

The government stated that the security features of smartphones, such as facial recognition, will guarantee the security of digital documents in the event of a device’s loss.

According to the statement, corporeal documents will continue to be accessible, and additional government-issued credentials, including veteran IDs and criminal record checks, will be incorporated by the conclusion of 2027.

The wallet will be accompanied by a government app, which is scheduled to be released this summer. This app will simplify the process of utilizing services such as applying for daycare or reporting a lost passport.

According to Science Secretary Peter Kyle, the GOV.UK wallet would enable the virtual issuance of every letter or identity document received from the government.

“For people who choose to use GOV.UK Wallet, they will find it easier to prove they’re entitled to benefits or check their age when buying alcohol or DIY equipment, with more security and trust than ever before,” according to him.

“Crucially, it also opens huge opportunities to make interacting with public services much easier by putting people in control of their own data.”

According to a government review released on Tuesday, the complete digitization of public services could generate productivity benefits and savings that exceed 45 billion pounds ($55 billion) annually.

Australia, Denmark, Iceland, and certain U.S. jurisdictions have already implemented digital driving licenses.

($1 is equivalent to 0.8174 pounds)