Britain to introduce digital driving licences this yr

LONDON (Reuters) – Britain will introduce digital driving licences later this yr in a push to make use of information to remodel public providers, the federal government mentioned on Tuesday.

The licence shall be held in a brand new GOV.UK digital pockets on smartphones and it’ll allow customers to simply show their age when shopping for age-restricted objects in addition to proving a proper to drive.

Safety features constructed into smartphones like facial recognition will guarantee digital paperwork are safe even when a tool is misplaced, the federal government mentioned.

Different credentials issued by the federal government akin to veteran playing cards and prison document checks shall be added by the tip of 2027, it mentioned, whereas bodily paperwork would additionally stay out there.

The pockets will come alongside a authorities app, due this summer time, that can make utilizing providers like making use of for childcare or reporting a misplaced passport simpler.

Science Secretary Peter Kyle mentioned the GOV.UK pockets would imply that each letter or id doc acquired from the federal government could possibly be issued nearly.

“For individuals who select to make use of GOV.UK Pockets, they may discover it simpler to show they’re entitled to advantages or examine their age when shopping for alcohol or DIY gear, with extra safety and belief than ever earlier than,” he mentioned.

“Crucially, it additionally opens big alternatives to make interacting with public providers a lot simpler by placing individuals answerable for their very own information.”

A authorities overview printed on Tuesday mentioned the complete digitisation of public providers may end in greater than 45 billion kilos ($55 billion) a yr of financial savings and productiveness advantages.

Digital driving licences exist already in Australia, Denmark, Iceland and in some U.S. states.

($1 = 0.8174 kilos)