A recent study from private plate supplier Regtransfers revealed that a whopping 57 per cent may be unaware of this shift to digital IDs.
HALF of drivers are completely unaware over a DVLA pink driving licence shake-up coming this year. A recent study from private plate supplier Regtransfers revealed that a whopping 57 per cent may be unaware of this shift to digital IDs.
Just 43 per cent said they were aware of the upcoming changes, which will allow drivers, motorists and road users to access and use a digital version of their driver’s licence from their phone.
Regtransfers CEO, Mark Trimbee, stated: “There’s no escaping the fact that our lives are being lived in an increasingly digitised space. Putting our driving licences on our phones feels like a natural next step, especially when so many of us already rely on mobiles for everything from banking to boarding passes.
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“That said, a driving licence isn’t just another app – it’s a key part of our identity. Our data shows that a lot of people still don’t know much about the government’s proposed changes.
“That kind of gap in awareness can naturally lead to concerns, or reluctance to adopt. It’s important the government takes the time to explain how it all works, what the benefits are, and – perhaps most importantly – how people’s data will be kept safe. The more informed people are, the more confident they’ll feel about using these new tools.”
Trimbee added: “I think people should be free to choose whatever they feel most comfortable with. While a digital driving license certainly would be convenient in many cases, a card license doesn’t run the risk of being completely inaccessible if my phone breaks or runs out of battery.”
Labour Party MP and 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.”
In a governmment press release, Mr Kyle said: GOV.UK Wallet will mean that every letter or identity document you receive from the government could be issued to you virtually.
“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.”
At this time, digital versions are being introduced as an “optional” measure – meaning traditional card licenses will remain valid for the foreseeable future.
