Ministers in the UK are preparing to outline plans for digital driving licences, which are anticipated to become available via a new government app by the end of the year, according to reports by The Times.

The advent of digital licences signifies a shift in the UK's approach to public service digitalisation, following initiatives to modernise and streamline existing systems.

Officials have stated that the digital licence will not be compulsory, offering an alternative to the physical photocard initially introduced in 1998. The requirement for a paper counterpart to accompany the photocard was lifted in 2015, reflecting an ongoing evolution in driving documentation.

The proposed digital driving licence will be housed in a digital wallet accessible through a government-developed application.

This app will employ security features comparable to those used in banking applications, ensuring that sensitive information is protected.

It will also exploit existing smartphone security technologies to verify the identity of the licence holder and prevent unauthorised access.

In a statement, a government spokesperson remarked, “This Government is committed to using technology to make people’s lives easier and transform public services.

Technology now makes it possible for digital identities to be more secure than physical ones, but we remain clear that they will not be made mandatory.”

The initiative reflects broader trends in governmental efforts globally, aiming to integrate digital solutions to improve efficiency and accessibility in public services while maintaining a commitment to user security and privacy.