Driver's license on your phone: Concerns arise about whether all countries will be adequately prepared

Monday, Jul 14, 2025

Digital driver’s licenses are being tested across Europe to ensure seamless cross-border use, addressing concerns about connectivity and security.

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[This is an automatically generated summary, for reference only]

A Lithuanian driving enthusiast expressed initial excitement about the digital driver’s license but later had doubts about its smooth implementation due to varying internet speeds and digital service availability across Europe. Currently, four large-scale projects are testing the system across the EU, with Lithuania participating in the “Potential” project to standardize processes and principles. The project aims to make the digital driver’s license available to residents after necessary legal changes are made. The Lithuanian “Potential” team has conducted extensive cross-border tests examining scenarios where foreign and Lithuanian citizens use the digital license in different countries. Experts assure that the service has offline functionality using cryptographic modules and QR code scanning, similar to public transport ticket checks, though they caution that users must not rely solely on the mobile device. The service is built upon existing, proven technologies used in Lithuania, such as “Smart-ID” and “Dokobit.” Security is a primary focus, requiring comprehensive cybersecurity measures. While Lithuania is considered digitally advanced, experts note that other EU countries may have varying levels of digital readiness, posing challenges for recognition. In Spain, myths about poor digital readiness are being debunked, as the DGT app allows for a legally valid digital driver’s license within the country, which is expected to evolve to meet EU standards. Austria is already using a digital document system, requiring only a form of identity verification.


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