Motorists could see major changes made to the process of getting their driving licence as part of a huge new initiative from the DVLA and NHS.
The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) and NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) team will now encourage motorists to become blood donors when applying for a licence.
Once someone has applied for a driving licence, they will see a link to register as a blood donor via their email.
The scheme could be seen by millions of people a year, with the DVLA and NHSBT explaining in the messages that blood donations save lives.
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The two organisations are also hoping that the new campaign will attract more blood donations from younger people.
Data from the NHSBT shows that more than half of people who regularly give blood are over the age of 45, with the aim of encouraging more young people to donate.
The NHSBT stated that it hopes the initiative will follow in the success of its previous organ donation partnership with the DVLA.
When someone signs up for a new driving licence, the application includes the option for them to sign up to join the organ donation register, which has been the case since 1994.
The new initiative between the DVLA and NHS could lead to a greater number of young people donating blood
|PA/DVLA
Estimates from the NHSBT suggest that around 70 per cent of people signed up to the register when prompted.
Tim Moss, chief executive of the DVLA, emphasised that the simple change to the driving licence process could help save lives.
He added: "We're proud to support NHS Blood and Transplant in encouraging more young people to become blood donors.
"With millions of driving licence applications processed each year, DVLA is in a unique position to help raise awareness and make it easier for people to take that first step.
The automated email drivers will receive once they apply for a driving licence
|NHSBT
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"Younger donors are vital to the future of the blood supply, and we're pleased to play a part in helping more of them get involved."
The NHSBT said around 5,000 blood donations are needed every day across England for the likes of traumatic injuries, childbirth, blood disorders and cancer treatments.
One campaigner, Maisie Marsh, said she hopes the new initiative will encourage more young people to donate blood and potentially save thousands of lives.
The 17-year-old suffers from a rare blood disorder called pyruvate kinase deficiency and has had more than 100 blood transfusions throughout her life.
Maisie Marsh, 17, praised the new scheme, saying it would lead to more young people donating blood
|NHSBT
Smith, who is a teaching assistant in Liverpool, admitted that most young people likely haven't considered the possibility of giving blood, but hoped the new driving licence scheme would change that.
She added: "People mostly associate blood transfusions with emergencies, but every day there are so many people like me who need blood for ongoing conditions."
This was echoed by the assistant partnerships director at the NHSBT, Altaf Kazi, who said one hour of someone's time can help save up to three lives.
"At 17, you can both learn to drive and start giving blood, so this new partnership with the DVLA is a fantastic opportunity for the NHS to reach more younger people who have a lifetime of donating ahead of them," Kazi said.