The DVLA has confirmed that it will introduce new rules over the next year for driving licences, which could have a huge impact on motorists across the UK.
Under new pledges announced by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), motorists could receive their driving licences within the space of a few days.
The DVLA's new 2025-2026 Business Plan outlines a 95 per cent target to dispatch applications made online for a driving licence within three working days.
The same timeframe and target would apply to vehicle registration certificates and tachographs, under its goal to "deliver great customer service".
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A 90 per cent target has been outlined for applications made by post within 10 days for driving licences, vehicle registration certificates, tachographs and vocational licences.
The Business Plan also contains details for motorists with medical issues, as the DVLA aims to make a licensing decision on medical cases within 50 days.
The popular "Driver and vehicles account" has been updated to allow customers to sign up for digital reminders for the 10-year driving licence renewal.
The DVLA will also develop the Driver and Vehicles account to allow customers to download digital driving licence information and use it in the Government Digital Wallet.
The DVLA has rolled out new plans to improve driving licence services for millions of users
|DVLA/DSIT/PA
While this is subject to development timescales outlined by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), it forms part of the rollout of digital driving licences.
The Government's Digital Service confirmed that it had started private testing for the digital driving licence in partnership with the DVLA.
It described the new developments as a "real milestone", noting that it would help the Government learn how drivers are using the Digital Wallet and GOV.UK One Login app.
Tim Moss CBE, chief executive and account officer at the DVLA, said: "This year, we'll complete the transition of our medical services from its existing legacy system to a modern customer relationship platform.
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The GOV.UK digital driving licence app will also show tax reminders | GOV.UK"We'll also introduce new features to the Driver and vehicles account, including digital reminders for 10-year driving licence renewals and the ability to exchange a driving licence.
"Reflecting our commitment to being a truly digital organisation, this year will also see us work closely with DSIT on the development of the GOV.UK Wallet, enabling the introduction of a digital version of the driving licence."
The DVLA also confirmed that it would continue to support driving licence exchange agreements, including recent confirmations coming for motorists with Moldovan and Ukrainian licences.
More than four million motorists are already signed up for the DVLA Driver and vehicles account, which contains a number of key measures to help people deal with vehicle admin.
The DVLA frequently posts on social media about the Driver and vehicles account | DVLABritish motorists will be given the option to use a digital version of their driving licences from their phones through the GOV.UK Wallet.
By March 2026, the DVLA aims to complete the migration of all digital driver licensing services to a new strategic cloud platform.
As part of this, all driving licence services will be decommissioned from its legacy platform this month.
Mr Moss concluded, saying: "Our commitment to innovation, resilience and customer satisfaction will continue to guide us as we strive to make our services better for every customer."