Austria accelerates EU deadlines for digital driving license adoption
Austria has taken a significant step forward in digital identity solutions, with its mobile driver's license (mDL) already operational and meeting the international ISO/IEC 18013-5 standard. This pioneering digital ID system, recognised as a model for EU-wide digital IDs, is not limited to driver licensing but also includes digital vehicle registration certificates, age verification, and identity verification via the eAusweise app on both iOS and Android devices.
The mDL, developed by youniqx Identity AG (a subsidiary of the Austrian State Printing House) in collaboration with the Austrian Federal Computing Centre (BRZ GmbH), emphasises user-friendliness and future-proof compliance with EU standards. With over 800,000 digital driver's licenses and numerous digital vehicle registration certificates, age verifications, and identity cards issued since 2022, Austria's mDL is uniquely ahead of schedule in aligning with the forthcoming EU Digital Identity Wallet (EUDI Wallet) requirements, to be implemented by all EU member states by December 2026.
From then on, Austrian digital driver’s licenses will be interoperable and fully recognised across all EU countries, facilitating seamless verification during travel, such as roadside police checks when Austrians are driving abroad in Europe. The eAusweise app also enables sharing digital vehicle registration with family or colleagues, and police can perform roadside checks using a single QR code that presents both the driver’s license and registration.
Looking ahead, the European Commission is revising driving license regulations with the aim of introducing an official digital driving license app EU-wide, anticipated to replace physical cards for identification in police checks or car rentals. This will include features like QR codes for easy scanning, directly improving convenience and security. The revision is part of a comprehensive modernization of driving license rules, including possible changes to license categories and driver training, but the digital driver’s license itself is emphasised for its interoperability and convenience.
The economic and technological implications of Austria’s early adoption and leadership in digital driver's licenses are significant. The model may stimulate growth in digital public service ecosystems leveraging secure mobile ID credentials and searching for wider European adoption. This early investment in digital identity could provide a competitive advantage for companies, and the development of digital IDs in Austria presents a unique opportunity for Austria's economy and location.
In summary, Austria offers a future-proof digital driver’s license system that is EU-compliant and shaping the pan-European digital ID landscape with wide-ranging benefits for users, authorities, and the economy.
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