The UK government has announced the launch of the GOV.UK Wallet and App to simplify access to official documents, including digital driving licences.
As part of this initiative, a digital driving licence pilot will take place later this year, alongside a comprehensive overhaul of public sector technology.
This project aims to deliver 45 billion GBP in efficiency savings while driving efficiency and growth.
The GOV.UK Wallet will allow citizens to securely store government-issued documents on their smartphones, starting with a Veteran Card and a digital version of the driving licence.
Science Secretary Peter Kyle said:Along with CDs, the Walkman and flip phones, the overflowing drawer rammed with letters from the government and hours spent on hold to get a basic appointment will soon be consigned to history. 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.
We will be overhauling how the public sector uses technology which is essential to delivering our Plan for Change, and in combination with this new tech for people to use themselves, we are going to slash the time people waste dealing with annoying processes so they can focus on what matters to them.
The mobile driver’s licence is expected to have a significant impact, particularly for those who use their licence as identification. It will use advanced smartphone security features like facial recognition to ensure safety and accessibility, even if devices are lost.
The GOV.UK Wallet will eventually expand to include a wide array of government-issued credentials, such as DBS checks, with all services required to offer digital alternatives by the end of 2027.
While the digital option will streamline processes, physical documents will remain available for those who prefer them.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said:This is a game changer for the millions of people who use their driving licence as ID.
The innovation puts power back in the hands of the people, making everyday interactions faster, easier, and more secure. We are delivering on the Plan for Change by making public services work for everyone.
In tandem with the GOV.UK Wallet, a new GOV.UK App is set to launch this summer. This app will provide users with a personalised experience for managing government-related tasks, such as applying for childcare or cancelling a lost passport.
The government is also exploring the use of AI to enhance public services. GOV.UK Chat, a generative AI chatbot, has already been piloted with 10,000 business users, successfully answering 90% of queries and thwarting all attempts to manipulate the tool. Future integration of this chatbot into the app could make finding government information even easier.
