Digital driving licences will be introduced as part of post-Brexit changes to make transport “fairer, greener and more efficient”, it has been announced.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said online versions of provisional licences will be made available.

The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) is aiming to develop an app featuring the licences, required by those learning to drive, by 2024.

Our transport network will be fairer, greener & more efficient thanks to our exciting new post-EU freedoms.

We will introduce digital driving licences – moving provisional cards online, doing away with paper test certificates & bringing MOTs into the modern age🚗1/5

Physical plastic cards would still be available.

It is understood that if the digital rollout proves to be a success then full driving licences could follow suit.

A Department for Transport (DfT) source said ministers were unable to develop digital licences before Brexit because of EU law.

COVID-19: Vaccine booster programme begins as NHS starts giving third jabs

COVID-19: Major changes to travel rules could be announced tomorrow

Two men charged over murder of journalist Lyra McKee in Northern Ireland

Mr Shapps said his department is also “bringing MOTs into the modern age” by introducing digital versions of booking systems and certificates.

“This is a golden chance to shake off the bureaucracy, invest in our future, and realise our potential with world-leading transport that benefits all of Britain,” the transport secretary added.

Steve Gooding, director of motoring research charity the RAC Foundation, said: “These days the one thing drivers are most likely to have with them is their phone, so using it to carry their driver’s licence could be quite handy.

“The risk is that the more personal data we store on our phones the more tempting a target they become for thieves and hackers.”

The DVLA’s strategic plan for 2021-24 states: “We will introduce a digital driving licence for provisional drivers and also start to build a customer account facility.

“This will ultimately give our customers personalised, easy and secure access to a range of services and allow them more choice in how they transact with us.

“Our services will be secure, scalable and resilient and we will continue to explore and expand the use of emerging technologies.”

Related posts:

UK records another drop in COVID infections as number of first jabs hits 22.2 million Boy, 17, killed after ‘metal pole touched electrical line’ in Lancashire ‘Culture of misogyny’ could mean men get more lenient sentences – commissioners Will the 21 June final stage of lockdown easing go ahead? Here’s what the data says Delay to 21 June reopening will be ‘death knell’ for night-time economy Teen films himself ‘sneaking’ into Wembley for Euro 2020 final ‘Aggressive’ flu viruses ‘bouncing back’ after prolonged lockdown, leading expert warns A&E to ward bed waiting time at its longest ever, NHS England data shows Thai-based department store owner Central sizes up Selfridges takeover Prince Charles reassures member of the public when asked about the Queen’s health COVID could be a concern for next five Christmases, scientist warns Ex-ambassador found dead in forest was suffering from ‘extreme stress’ while working on COVID taskforce, inquest told