The UK is following Iowa and Delaware in testing digital driving licenses

[midian182]

With so many people now carrying smartphones, an increasing number of traditionally paper-based documents are making their way onto the devices. In March, it was reported that a company was working on a “paperless passport,” now, the UK has become the latest place to reveal an early version of a digital driver's license.

Last week, the CEO of the UK’s Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), Oliver Morley, tweeted a picture of a “little prototype” license on the Apple Wallet app, which lets users store digital versions of loyalty cards, gift cards, tickets, and so on.

So here's a little prototype of something we're working on #drivinglicence pic.twitter.com/a5eItrdiNI

— Oliver Morley (@omorley1) May 13, 2016

Morley followed this up with another Tweet, stressing that there was no timeline for the digital document’s arrival. He also added that it would not be replacing the standard plastic driving license but act as an “add-on,” which presumably would be used when the physical version wasn’t available.

1) prototype = no timeline yet
2) not replacement for photocard, an add-on
3) security our priority
4) possible because #nomorecounterpart

— Oliver Morley (@omorley1) May 13, 2016

CCS Insight analyst Ben Wood told the BBC: "Security has taken a significant step forward to support digital payments on phones, so the framework is in place for other secure applications, such as a digital driving license. There are not many people in the UK that do not carry a smartphone with them every day, so it is a logical next step."

It’s almost certain that when these licenses arrive they won’t be exclusively available to iPhone users. The DVLA may follow in the footsteps of Iowa, which is testing a similar system using a dedicated Mobile Driver’s License (mDL) app developed by MorphoTrust for the state’s Department of Transportation.

In addition to the UK and Iowa, Delaware is investigating the idea of virtual licenses; it aims to become the first state to introduce them, possibly by the end of this year. And in New South Wales, Australia, plans are in place to digitize driver’s licenses in 2018.

Image credit: MorphoTrust

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https://www.techspot.com/news/64855-uk-follows-iowa-delaware-testing-digital-driving-licenses.html

 

[Tanstar]

So I get pulled over by a cop and, instead of taking my license, he takes my phone? Now what do I play with while he takes 15 minutes to confirm I'm not a serial killer with warrants in 5 states?

 

[Uncle Al]

Worse yet, if you "surrender" your phone to the officer, some take that as an opportunity to go through the entire phone, looking for something to bust you with. While it shouldn't be a problem, let's say you have the old traditional baby picture of your first born on a bearskin in their bare skin; Now days you are considered a pedophile rather than a proud parent and if you have one of your girlfriend or wife ... well it just gets worse and worse. Until the law is changed to protect you from prying traffic cops I think this will be a terrible idea.

By the way, a number of police are suggesting you keep a photo of your registration and proof of insurance on your phone, in an attempt to do the same thing so BEWARE!

 

[Skidmarksdeluxe]

A digital drivers licence? Over here a few greenback are all the licences we need... for anything... or so it seems.

 

[Thrackerzod]

So what is wrong with plain old plastic driver's licenses? This seems like a solution in search of a problem.

 

[IAMTHESTIG]

What could possibly go wrong?

 

[Camikazi]

So I get pulled over by a cop and, instead of taking my license, he takes my phone? Now what do I play with while he takes 15 minutes to confirm I'm not a serial killer with warrants in 5 states?

Not having something to play with is the last thing you should worry about if you voluntarily gave a cop your phone. Unless you password lock every app (there are apps that do that) they can and probably will check everything.

 

[p51d007]

Until the law is changed to protect you from prying traffic cops I think this will be a terrible idea.

By the way, a number of police are suggesting you keep a photo of your registration and proof of insurance on your phone, in an attempt to do the same thing so BEWARE!

Simple solution. Create a QR code, let the officer(s) scan that and keep possession of your phone, unless they have A WARRANT. As another mentioned, a solution in search of a problem.
I'd stick with the good ole fashioned plastic card.
Just because "it's new" (technology) doesn't make it better, just new.

 

[TheBigT42]

What could possibly go wrong?

Ya...No hacker would use it to make a fake license.