UK Developing Digital Driving License Stored in Apple Wallet App

In the future, drivers in the United Kingdom may be able to store their driver's licenses digitally in Apple's Wallet app, bringing Apple one step closer to fully replacing the traditional physical wallet.

Oliver Morley, CEO of the UK's Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency, showed off a prototype version of a digital driving license on Twitter this morning (via The Independent). In the image, the Wallet app on the iPhone was shown with a virtual copy of a UK driving license, stored right next to other Wallet cards.

passbookdrivinglicenseuk

So here's a little prototype of something we're working on #drivinglicence pic.twitter.com/a5eItrdiNI
— Oliver Morley (@omorley1) May 13, 2016

According to Morley, the feature is still a prototype and will not serve as a full replacement for a driving license, but an add-on, with its implementation possible following the discontinuation of a paper driving license counterpart in June of 2015. Security is one of the main priorities for the introduction of the digital driving license in the UK.

Should the digital driving license feature be introduced in the United Kingdom, it's not a stretch to imagine it also being introduced in additional countries like the United States as the digital wallet concept grows in popularity. In fact, at least one state in the United States is already testing the idea - in 2014, Iowa said it was working on a digital app that would allow customers to use digital ID cards instead of physical cards.

Tags: DVLA, Wallet

Top Rated Comments

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garirry

43 months ago

I think it's awesome, as long as paper licenses still exist and people can place them somewhere safe in case the iPhone battery dies or something.

Rating: 12 Votes

Phil A.

43 months ago

Fantastic news, and as you say, one step closer.

I currently leave the office on occasion to lunch without my wallet (all good except for damn you, Sainsbury's), using Apple Pay on my watch as my preferred payment method. I'll soon be able to go for a drive without it too.

I often drive without my license on me - there's no legal requirement to carry one in the UK: If you get stopped you have 7 days to produce it at a police station.

Rating: 10 Votes

zahuh

43 months ago

Love it! If anyone from Apple reads this, please also add school/faculty IDs. Can't wait to get rid of my physical wallet.

Rating: 8 Votes

Boatboy24

43 months ago

It'll be another 50 years before a US State adopts something this advanced. :rolleyes:

Rating: 7 Votes

hlfway2anywhere

43 months ago

Not to go all conspiracy theorist here but in the US, I believe you are required to produce identification is requested from the authorities. BUT, if it is in a phone that you must unlock to show them and another physical form does not exist, then it will be pretty hard to say, "yea, i forgot my password so you can't get into my phone." But, I also am guessing if you are in that situation, you'll just give the finger to anyone and everyone at that point just in case.

you don't need to unlock the phone to access Wallet.

Rating: 4 Votes

ipedro

43 months ago

('https://www.macrumors.com/2016/05/13/uk-digital-driving-license-wallet/')

In the future, drivers in the United Kingdom may be able to store their driver's licenses digitally in Apple's Wallet app, bringing Apple one step closer to fully replacing the traditional physical wallet.

Oliver Morley, CEO of the UK's Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency, showed off a prototype version of a digital driving license on Twitter ('https://twitter.com/omorley1/status/731110689939587072') this morning (via The Independent ('http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/news/driving-licence-could-be-added-to-apple-wallet-turning-drivers-iphone-into-an-id-a7028346.html')). In the image, the Wallet app on the iPhone was shown with a virtual copy of a UK driving license, stored right next to other Wallet cards.

According to Morley, the feature is still a prototype and will not serve as a full replacement for a driving license, but an add-on, with its implementation possible following the discontinuation ('https://www.gov.uk/government/news/driving-licence-changes') of a paper driving license counterpart in June of 2015. Security is one of the main priorities for the introduction of the digital driving license in the UK.

Should the digital driving license feature be introduced in the United Kingdom, it's not a stretch to imagine it also being introduced in additional countries like the United States as the digital wallet concept grows in popularity. In fact, at least one state in the United States is already testing the idea - in 2014, Iowa said it was working on a digital app ('https://www.macrumors.com/2014/12/11/smartphone-drivers-licenses-iowa/') that would allow customers to use digital ID cards instead of physical cards.

Article Link: UK Developing Digital Driving License Stored in Apple Wallet App ('https://www.macrumors.com/2016/05/13/uk-digital-driving-license-wallet/')

Government ID: the final frontier.

There are several ways to ensure that digital IDs aren't tampered with and not simply photoshopped copies. Have the data such as photo and information on a government server. When an official like a traffic cop requests your ID, you show it to them, they scan a randomized QR code that then independently downloads the ID to their own device. If the two don't match perfectly, it's a fake.

This could end up being more secure than physical drivers licenses and end the fake ID market once and for all.

Rating: 4 Votes