Digital Driver Licenses Set to Launch for Cork Motorists This Year

Cork: Irish drivers are about to get a cool upgrade. Soon, you can leave your physical driving license at home. The new digital licenses are on the way, but they’re coming a bit later than expected.

These digital licenses will be part of a digital wallet you can keep on your smartphone. The rollout is planned for later this year, which is pretty exciting. The government has been testing this with civil servants since early 2024, but they hit a snag. Some issues popped up during the pilot program, especially for drivers with additional needs, so they had to push things back.

The Department for Public Expenditure is working hard to make sure everything is secure. They’ve even set aside €20 million for the rollout in 2025. This digital wallet will hold important documents like your birth certificate, driver’s license, and even marriage certificates, making it super easy to access everything you need.

The new licenses will be accepted by gardaí, so you can keep your physical cards safe at home. And it’s not just happening in Ireland; the UK is also rolling out a similar system this year. You’ll be able to store your licenses and veteran cards right on your phone.

If you choose the digital version, it’ll be just like adding your credit card to your phone for easy payments. Just a heads up, though: in Ireland, you must show your license if a garda asks for it. If you don’t, you’ll need to present it at a Garda station within ten days.

And that’s not all! Motorists will see some changes in the new year. The RSA recently announced the first fee increase in over a decade for services like NCT tests and driving licenses. So, keep an eye out for those updates!