The Labour Party has confirmed a ‘full rollout’ of the new digital driving licence later this year via the GOV.UK Wallet app — described as a “game changer” for millions of UK drivers who use their licence as ID
Driving licence changes are being launched this year – which will see digital ID introduced for millions. Labour Party Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander described the technology as a “game changer”.
Ms Alexander confirmed that digital driving licences would be introduced in January last year as part of the new GOV.UK App. The Labour Party has confirmed that there would be a “full rollout later in the year”.
The Transport Secretary described the new technology as a “game changer for the millions of people who use their driving licence as ID”. Peter Kyle, who was Science Secretary at the time, said: “GOV.UK Wallet will mean that every letter or identity document you receive from the government could be issued to you virtually.
“For people who choose to use GOV.UK Wallet, they will find it easier to prove they’re entitled to benefits or check their age when buying alcohol or DIY equipment, with more security and trust than ever before.
“Crucially, it also opens huge opportunities to make interacting with public services much easier by putting people in control of their own data.”, reports Birmingham Live.
Minister for Veterans and People Alistair Carns DSO OBE MC MP said: “It is fantastic that former service personnel will become the first citizens to access the government’s new digital wallet. Having access to their HM Armed Forces Veteran Card via their smartphone, will help make it even easier for them to verify their veteran status, and access the support and benefits they’re entitled to.
“This is a government committed to delivering for all those who serve and have served. We’re turning words into action to improve life for every veteran.”
Motorists in the European Union will also reap the benefits of new features soon, with the EU announcing it would make “licence replacement, renewal, and exchange significantly easier when moving between Member States”.
While no specific date was provided for the introduction of the technology, Member States will start rolling out the functions “after a brief transitional period”.
Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism, Apostolos Tzitzikostas, declared: “Today marks a major step forward in modernising our driver’s licencing system and bringing down the unacceptable number of road deaths across the EU.”
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