Major driving licence change to launch this summer - affecting up to 50 million Brits

17 May 2025, 22:45 | Updated: 18 May 2025, 08:35

A UK Driving Licence shake-up is coming this summer
A UK Driving Licence shake-up is coming this summer. Picture: Alamy

By Alice Padgett

A shake up is coming this summer as digital driving licences will be rolled out in a huge tech upgrade.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

The change will affect around 50 million Brits who hold a provisional or full driving licence.

A Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) spokesman confirmed the digital switch to This is Money.

"The GOV.UK Wallet will be launched this summer with the first credential being a digital Veteran card.

"Later in the year, we plan to begin rolling out a digital driving licence, which will eventually be usable for everything your paper licence is currently used for.

"We're working closely with DVLA and industry to meet this timeline."

Read More: Tributes paid to 'hero' firefighters and man killed in former RAF base blaze

Read More: Thousands of pro-Palestine protesters march on Downing Street to mark Nakba anniversary

Those with a provisional licence or full drivers licence will able to download the digital license after it launches this summer.
Those with a provisional licence or full drivers licence will able to download the digital license after it launches this summer. Picture: Alamy

Plastic photo cards will remain valid in the rollout and a digital version is not compulsory.

Drivers who wish to get the digital identification will need to download the GOV.UK Wallet app from official app stores.

Once approved, your drivers licence will appear on your phone.

This comes as many use their smartphones for railcards, banking and travel.

You will also be able to see your driving record and renewal dates in the app.

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander has described the change as a “game changer" as the government move many services online - hoping to save £45 billion.

Research by Quotezone revealed that around 49 per cent support the move to digital, but 47 per cent are against it.

Many cite concerns over security and data sharing, and the potential alienation of those without smartphones.

The UK driving licence paper counterpart was abolished June 2015.
The UK driving licence paper counterpart was abolished June 2015. Picture: Alamy

The app will slowly be expanded to include Blue Badges, PIP letters, DBS checks and marriage and death certificates.

Applications for the digital driving licence will open once the GOV.UK Wallet launches this summer.

Users are being urged to only download the official app from Apple or Google Play to avoid scams or fake versions.

In 1998 paper drivers licences were replaced by plastic photo cards.

Then, in 2015, the paper licence was scrapped.

More Technology News

See more More Technology News

Data (Use and Access) Bill

Lords’ objections to Data Bill over copyright threatens its existence – minister

A primary school teacher looking stressed next to piles of classroom books

Pupils could gain more face-to-face time with teachers under AI plans

A self-driving Uber equipped with cameras and sensors drives the streets of Washington, DC

Uber to launch self-driving taxis in London next spring

Social media app icons displayed on an Apple iPhone

Social media giants can ‘get on’ and tackle fraud cases, says City watchdog

Science and Technology Secretary Peter Kyle

Investments in UK tech sector will create hundreds of jobs, says Government

Rachel Reeves, left, wearing a lab coat and putting on some disposable gloves with Peter Kyle, both standing next to a microscope

Rachel Reeves to announce £86bn for science and technology in spending review

View of the Alphawave Semi logo is seen displayed on a smartphone screen

Alphawave agrees £1.8bn takeover by America’s Qualcomm

The TikTok logo displayed on a phone

TikTok creating more than 500 new British jobs as UK users top 30 million

Starmer visit to London Tech Week conference

Sir Keir Starmer vows to overcome sceptical public on ‘harnessing power’ of AI

A sign for the Post Office

More than £1 billion paid to those wronged by Horizon scandal, Government says

One in three employers believe AI will boost productivity

‘Significant challenges’ in use of AI within UK screen sector

Students use laptop computers to study in class

AI skills drive in schools to ‘put power in hands of next generation’ – Starmer

Australia will ban social media for under-16s.

Children could face 'two-hour social media limit' under new Government proposal

Peter Kyle

Minister says AI ‘does lie’ but defends Government amid copyright row

Ian Russell

Molly Russell’s father urges PM to act over online harms as ‘app cap’ considered

The Baden municipality of Schutterwald near Offenburg in Germany was ravaged by a plague of the ants in March

Foul-smelling ants that form supercolonies wreak havoc across Europe - with fears they could invade UK