A UK digital driving licence is a secure copy of your photocard driving licence stored on your phone inside the GOV.UK Wallet. It will let drivers prove their age and their right to drive without carrying the plastic card. It is optional, the photocard is not being scrapped, and as of November 2026 it has not yet launched for the public.

How will the digital driving licence work?

The government announced the GOV.UK Wallet in January 2025. The Wallet will hold government-issued documents on a phone, starting with the HM Armed Forces Veteran Card and an early version of a digital driving licence. It will use phone security features such as facial recognition, and is underpinned by GOV.UK One Login, the government's single sign-on system, so documents can only be accessed by the right person.

When will the digital driving licence launch?

There is no public launch date yet. The DVLA's business plan for 2026 to 2027, published on 19 October 2026, says the work is continuing but gives no date. In October 2026 the Government Digital Service opened a Wallet sandbox so digital identity providers can test creating test digital driving licences. Further testing is planned for December 2026, with a national rollout targeted for 2027. GOV.UK says the Wallet cannot be downloaded or used yet, and that the digital driving licence follows the Veteran Card.

What can you use a digital driving licence for?

The government says drivers will be able to use it to prove their age when buying age-restricted items online and in person, as well as proving their right to drive. Separately, since 15 September 2026, pubs, bars, restaurants and shops in England and Wales have been able to accept digital proof of age through approved apps. That age-check change is already live, but it is not the same thing as the digital driving licence in the Wallet.

Is it the same as the digital ID card?

No. The national digital ID scheme announced in September 2025, widely known as the BritCard, was a separate plan for a compulsory digital credential for right-to-work checks. It was scrapped in July 2026 by Prime Minister Andy Burnham. The digital driving licence is a separate, optional credential inside the GOV.UK Wallet, and the wider One Login and wallet infrastructure has continued. If you prefer a physical document, you will still be able to use one.

Frequently asked questions

Do I have to use a digital driving licence? No. GOV.UK says using the Wallet is entirely optional, and the plastic photocard will keep being issued and accepted.

When can I get one? There is no confirmed date. Testing continues through late 2026 and a national rollout is targeted for 2027.

Will it replace my photocard? No. The digital licence is an extra option, not a replacement, and the government says physical documents will remain available.

Sources: GOV.UK and Biometric Update.