A comparative look at digital driving licenses
Digital driving licenses are being introduced across Europe and beyond, but they don’t all work the same way.
As part of my Master's thesis, I researched the progress and current state of digital driving licenses, also known as mobile driving licenses (mDLs). I compared Austria, Australia, and Germany to understand how these systems differ in practice, and what that means for wallet-based identification.
Austria and Australia, specifically New South Wales (NSW), are both relatively advanced in implementing mDLs. Austria stands out as a European frontrunner, with mDLs aligned with ISO standards and accepted by the police. Australia, while non-European, also has a working system, but with notable differences in design.
Germany, in contrast, has not yet introduced mDLs. Adoption is slower, and both legal and cultural approaches are more cautious. Together, these countries provide a useful comparison on multiple aspects: operational vs. non-operational systems, EU vs. non-EU contexts, and fast vs. slow adoption.