Digital driver’s licence needs to be introduced – Doherty

The introduction of a digital driver’s licence should be introduced to simplify the lives of Irish road users and road policing units, a Fine Gael Senator has said.

Senator Regina Doherty, Fine Gael’s European election candidate and Seanad spokesperson for Transport made her comments following the announcement of a new French scheme which now allows drivers to carry a digital copy of their licence on an official government mobile app.

“The integration of driving licences into the France Identité app is an example of an innovative solution to simplifying driving habits,” Senator Doherty said.

“In Ireland, it is an offence under Section 40 of the Road Traffic Act 1961 to not produce your licence on demand of a member of an Garda Siochana. If you fail to do so, you are required to present your licence at a Garda station within 10 days.

“The introduction of a virtual licence could have the potential to lower instances of forgotten, misplaced and stolen licences as motorists could opt to just carry their phone while driving, while their physical copies remain safe at home.

“A streamlined identification system would be of similar benefit to roads policing units and could act as strong deterrent to would-be offenders.

“The system in France is optional, it’s not intended to replace the physical licence, but rather be complementary to it. I think that is an important detail. We must always be conscious of those in society who have limited ability or access to technology. If such a development is to be considered in Ireland, inclusivity needs to be at the heart of it.

“MyGovID already streamlines a range of government services into a single account, including the National Driver Licence Service portal. A digital driver’s licence should be explored as a further additional measure.

“Nowadays, we can choose to use virtual debit and credit cards, we can pay our bills and carry boarding passes and train tickets all through mobile apps. This should be extended to driver’s licences,” Senator Doherty concluded