Tens of millions of motorists in the UK will be able to carry a digital version of their driving licence on their smartphones by the end of 2025, as the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) fast-tracks its digitisation programme.
The initiative will be delivered through the new GOV.UK Wallet and mobile app, part of Labour’s £45 billion plan to improve public sector efficiency and drive economic growth. While the traditional photocard licence will remain available, the digital alternative aims to make identification faster, easier, and more secure.
The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology confirmed that the mobile driving licence will be among the first documents available via the GOV.UK Wallet, alongside a Digital Veteran Card. Holders will also be able to use their mobile licence to prove their age both in shops and online.
The GOV.UK Wallet app—compatible with Apple and Android devices—will enter pilot testing later this year. By 2027, the government intends for all public services to offer digital formats alongside physical documents.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander described the digital licence as “a game changer” for those who regularly use their driving licence as identification. “This innovation puts power back in the hands of the people, making everyday interactions faster, easier, and more secure,” she said.
The move aligns with the DVLA’s 2024–2025 Business Plan, which prioritises expanding digital services. These include the “Driver and vehicles account” platform and improvements to vehicle and keeper records used by law enforcement and the Home Office.
To support the transformation, the DVLA’s Centre of Digital Excellence is currently running 15 training programmes, offering qualifications, professional certifications, and apprenticeships. Around 13% of the agency’s digital and technology staff are enrolled in training, helping to build in-house expertise to deliver the changes.
Science Secretary Peter Kyle said the project would streamline how people access government services. “It will make it easier to prove entitlement to benefits or check age when buying alcohol or DIY equipment, with more security and trust than ever before,” he explained.
A beta version of the GOV.UK Wallet will be developed throughout the year before its full rollout in 2025. The government believes the mobile licence will not only improve convenience for drivers but also reduce administrative costs, supporting broader economic and efficiency goals.
If successful, the scheme could pave the way for further digital integration across other official documents, bringing the UK closer to a fully digital public services landscape by the end of the decade.
