The UK government today announced plans for a digital wallet that will house digital driver's licenses. It is not yet clear if the digital wallet that the UK government has planned will integrate with Apple Wallet, but UK users will be able to access their driver's licenses through a GOV.UK app on the iPhone when the initiative launches.
The digital driver's license will allow users to prove their age when purchasing age-restricted items, and it will serve as proof of the right to drive. Personal information will be protected with Face ID or Touch ID for security even if a device is lost.
Along with driver's licenses, the UK digital wallet will eventually include veteran cards, DBS checks, and other documents issued by the government, but traditional physical documents will also remain available.
The UK digital wallet app is launching alongside a GOV.UK app that will feature a built-in "GOV.UK Chat" chatbot that is being created in partnership with OpenAI, and the chat service is already being tested. The chatbot will let UK residents make payments and receive notifications and reminders about government services.
In the United States, Apple has partnered with several states to bring digital driver's licenses and ID cards to the Wallet app on the iPhone and Apple Watch. Digital IDs are available in nine states, as well as Puerto Rico. At least six additional states have pledged future support for the functionality.
Top Rated Comments
You don’t need to carry ID in the UK. You don’t need to carry your driving licence either, even if driving. You have to produce it at a police station if pulled over and asked and you don’t have it though. And of course they know who you are anyway, from your license plate and insurance docs which must be carried.
*edit* not insurance docs either, I was mistaken
The law was updated to reflect most, if not all, scenarios such as broken screens, flat batteries, and how to interact with police (they only have to sight it - not allowed to touch your phone).
https://legislation.nsw.gov.au/view/pdf/asmade/act-2020-27
On an Australian federal level, state digital licences are an acceptable form of ID with no discrimination between that and the the physical form.