Travel
manual
The mobile driving licence manual
A mobile driving licence (mDL) is a type of digital document/electronic attestation that is proof of an individual's right to drive a certain kind of vehicle.
This use case manual explains in practical terms how mobile driving licences will work with EU Digital Identity Wallets. It also provides links to relevant technical and legal resources.
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54 million
Current cost of acquiring physical driving licences in the European Union per year.
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20 of millions
Estimated number of driving licences issued per year.
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40 - 70 million
Car rentals in Europe per year requiring driving licence verification.
When will mobile driving licences need to be verified?
Mobile driving licences may be verified in various scenarios:
- Car rentals: Car rental companies are required to check a driver's right to drive. Users will be able to share their mobile driving licences with them either in person or remotely in advance.
- Roadside checks: Police or other officials will be able to check a drivers's mobile driving licence when required.
- Remote and proximity electronic identification: Additionally, an mDL could be used as a means of electronic identification in various scenarios, where accepted by verifiers.
The mobile driving licence user journey
Car rentals
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1.
Tim visits a car rental website to book a car.
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2.
The car rental service requests his mDL alongside proof of identity.
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3.
Tim provides his person identification data (PID) and mDL via his wallet.
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4.
The car rental service validates the attestations and approves his booking.
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5.
Tim goes to pick up the car. The car rental service validates his booking attestation and verifies his identity in person via the wallet before handing him the keys.
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6.
After successful verification, Tim receives the car and hits the road.
Roadside checks
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1.
Emma is driving her car on the road when she’s stopped by a police officer for a roadside check.
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2.
The police officer asks Emma to provide her driving licence for verification.
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3.
Emma shares her mDL QR code from her wallet with the police officer.
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4.
The police officer verifies Emma's driving licence either by scanning the QR code (triggered via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi Aware) or by using NFC technology. This includes checking the license’s validity and vehicle entitlements.
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5.
After successful verification, the officer allows Emma to continue her journey.
Key benefits
Citizens
- Added convenience: Always have a digital version of your driving licence stored and ready to share.
- Reduced costs: Potentially save money as requesting a physical deriving licence costs individuals between EUR 15 and EUR 30.
Service provider
- Simplified roadside checks: Faster checks for traffic police and less chance for a citizen to forget their driving licence.
- Easier car rental management: Car rental processes can be sped up and even potentially automated.
Issuers
- Reduced costs: Procuring physical driving licences is estimated to cost 54 million per year in the EU. Mobile driving licences can potentially greatly lower this figure.
The legal and technical implementation of mobile driving licences
Current implementation of mobile driving licences per Member State
mDL using other standards
Austria
Cyprus
Denmark
France
Greece
Italy
Poland
Portugal
Slovakia
mDL planned but not yet legally valid
Belgium
Czech Republic
Estonia
Finland
Germany
Ireland
Latvia
Lithuania
Netherlands
Luxemburg
Spain
Who is piloting this use case?
The Large Scale Pilot Potential is developing the mobile driving licence use case for EU Digital Identity Wallets
Legislation behind the age verification use case
The driving licence directive
At EU level, the new Driving Licence Directive would establish default issuance and mutual recognition of mobile driving licences. It would refer to ISO/IEC 18013-5 as a reference standard. Adoption of the Directive is foreseen in the second half of 2025.
The mDL attestation
The mDL attestation is defined in the upcoming Driving Licence Directive. Technical specifications for the attestation will be further detailed in an implementing act.
Issuing and accepting mDLs
Obligations to issue and accept mDL are to be laid down in the upcoming Driving Licence Directive. According to its text, mDLs must be issued to EUDI Wallets.
Technical standards
mDL for EUDI wallets will use the ISO/IEC 18013-5/7 standard.
Data model, format and proof mechanisms
Specifications can be found in ISO 18013-5.
Verification
Specifications on presenting mDL in proximity and remotely are available as ISO standards. Business blueprints on proximity verification flows are also described in the ARF Annex 4: supervised flow and unsupervised flow.
Libraries to facilitate implementation of mDL presentation and verification can be found here.
Trust framework
The new Driving Licence Directive would require Member States to notify the Commission of authorised mDL issuers. The Commission would publish a list of these authorities for verification purposes.
Relying party registration should be implemented in line with the EUDI Wallet requirements and considering the specifics of each Member State.
Issuance
Libraries to facilitate the issuance of mDL can be found here.
An issuance flow is described in the ARF Annex 4.
Want to dive deeper?
Download the full-length mobile driving licence manual to find detailed technical and legal information that will help you get ready to make the most of this use case.
Download the detailed Mobile Driving Licence Use Case Manual
Synergies with other EUDI use cases
Identification
Identification in proximity scenarios
Secure in-person identification for services where the transaction requires strong assurance of identity.
Discover the Identification in proximity scenarios use case
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Digital Travel Credential (DTC)
A digital representation of the user’s identity document such as an identity card, passport or another travel document
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Vehicle Registration Certificate (VRC)
Proves the registration and legal compliance of a vehicle with national and European road transport regulations.
Coming soon
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Core functionality
PID-based identification in online services
Secure identification to an online service using the PID stored in an EUDI Wallet.
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Core functionality
Use of a pseudonym in online services
Interact with digital platforms without revealing your full identity, unless legally or functionally required to.
Coming soon
Core functionality
eSignature
Create qualified electronic signatures with the same legal validity as a handwritten signature.
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Banking & payment
Payment authentication
Enables online payments to be authorised via an EUDI Wallet.
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Consumer
Age verification
Prove you are above a specific age threshold (e.g., over 16, 18, or 21) using a verifiable digital credential.
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Travel
European Parking card (EPC)
Issued to persons with disabilities, recognising the right to certain reserved parking conditions and facilities.
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Health & social security
European Disability Card
Serves as proof of recognised disability status/entitlement to disability services.
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Education
Educational credentials
store, manage, and present digitally verifiable education-related credentials, like diplomas and certificates.
Coming soon
Health & social security
e-Prescription
Identify yourself in order to access e-prescriptions stored and presented via an EUDI Wallet.
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Health & social security
European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)
Grants access to necessary healthcare when in another Member State.
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Legal representation
Natural or legal person representation
Enables users to act on behalf of another individual or an organisation using digitally verifiable credentials.
Coming soon
Consumer
Ticket or pass
Store, manage, and present digital tickets and access passes, like boarding passes or event tickets.
Coming soon
Health & social security
Public warnings
Enables trusted public authorities to issue real-time or scheduled warnings and alerts, like for natural disasters.
Coming soon
Education
European student card
Enables students to store and present their student status.
Coming soon
Banking & payment
Open bank account
Enables individuals to open a bank account online using their EUDI Wallet.
Coming soon