The UK Government Digital Service (GDS) announced on October 19, 2026, that it is opening the GOV.UK Wallet sandbox to allow registered digital verification service providers to test digital driving licence technology.
Sandbox Testing Environment
According to the Government Digital Service (GDS), the sandbox opening marks the first time private sector organisations can test their verifier technology in a closed test environment using a test digital driving licence. GDS stated that this allows the agency to learn, improve, and build confidence before introducing the digital driving licence starting next year.
Eligible participants include digital verification service (DVS) providers that are independently certified against government standards and listed on the government's DVS register. The technology tested will enable information from the digital driving licence to be shared securely with accepting organisations such as pubs, cinemas, and supermarkets.
Development and Upcoming Milestones
Following testing at the end of last year, GDS and the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) have continued designing and building the product. Work has included developing technical capabilities to refresh, revoke, and verify a digital driving licence, as well as strengthening safeguards to help organisations check that a licence is genuine, valid, and up to date.
The digital driving licence serves as an alternative to the physical card, building on the work of the GOV.UK Wallet's first credential, the digital Veteran Card. Later this year, GDS plans to host a stakeholder testing event to further test technical integration and collect feedback ahead of launch.
What to do
- If you are a registered DVS provider, register for access to the GOV.UK Wallet sandbox.
Key facts and where they come from
- GDS is inviting registered digital verification service providers to join the GOV.UK Wallet sandbox.
The Government Digital Service (GDS) is inviting registered digital verification service (DVS) providers to join the GOV.UK Wallet sandbox.
- Private sector organisations can test verifier technology with a test digital driving licence for the first time.
This will be the first time that private sector organisations can test their verifier technology in a closed test environment (the sandbox) with a test digital driving licence.
- Eligible DVS providers must be independently certified against government standards and listed on the government register.
DVS providers who are independently certified against government standards and are on the government’s DVS register can join the sandbox.
- GDS plans to introduce the digital driving licence starting next year.
before we start to introduce the digital driving licence from next year.
