The digital license on the app: do I have to deliver the phone to the police? Can you use offline? All doubts

From the Last December 4th All Italians can travel with the Digital version driving license uploaded to your smartphone. The document (together with the identity card and the health card) can be loaded in theIt wallet (the dematerialized portfolio) on theApp I. The document has legal value And it can be shown to the police in the event of control instead of the paper or plasticized license, which is not necessarily brought in tow. Six months after its introduction, however, new questions have emerged on how the digital document can be used, and in particular on the control procedures. We asked the director of the traffic police service Saint Puccia to clarify.

How do the police check the digital license?

When a control body stops a driver and asks « license and booklet »the document can be shown in digital modethat is, as a mobile license. The registration booklet, on the other hand, has yet to be exhibited in paper format. The control, as established by a circular issued last October, is not limited to the performance of the digital document: agentsjust like it happens with physical licenses, question the databases of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport By accessing the registry of subjects authorized to the guide and this procedure allows you to check the ownership of the licensebut also any measures such as suspensions or revocations, the points balance And if the license is adequate to the vehicle conducted. Contemporanery, with a preventive purpose, is consulted Lto Interforze database To check information on crimes, complaints, investigation activities.

Is it necessary to deliver the smartphone to the agents?

Absolutely not. To carry out control in the database, the name, surname, place and date of birth of the driver are enough. The citizen shows his license on his mobile phone, that remains in the hands of the owner. This practice has long been consolidated for the insurance certificate, which can also be shown in digital format. The agent can write down the data displayed on the smartphone (name, surname, date and place of birth) or, if equipped with service tablets, enter the data directly for the questioning of the database. Law enforcement officers have never given indications to request the mobile phone from the citizen.

What is the QR code present for the digital license?

On the digital license there is a QR code which, if scanned with a normal camera, It can indicate if the license is valid and active. However, the real police control is based on more in -depth checks, questioning the databases, and is not limited to the scan of the QR code.

How does the patent withdrawal work?

If the driver is contested the violation of a road standard which provides for the withdrawal or suspension of the license will still be asked to deliver the physical document. In the absence of the physical license, the user will have to present himself to the closest command later. At the same time, as recommended in the circular of last October, the police aThe database will promptly report the withdrawal of the license. On the app I will continue to appear the license, but with the notice that has been suspended or withdrawn.

Can the digital license be used abroad?

Currently, The digital license can only be used in Italy; abroad it is still necessary to bring the paper document. It will be possible to circulate in Europe with the digital license only when it goes to the European level (with the portfolio of digital identity called Eudi), presumably by 2026. The Wallet documents will function in each EU country and each Member State will offer their app, created according to the same specifications, to all citizens, residents.

Is it possible to use the digital license without connection?

Thanks to a new update of the app I can access and consult the documents saved in the portfoliolicense including, too without an Internet connection, Situation that can occur during travel, in areas with poor network coverage or simply in case of absence of credit on the smartphone. The documents shown offline (i.e. when using the service without internet connection) are updated to the version present when the service with a network connection available was carried out for the last time. When accessing the « portfolio » section of the app I without connection, a dedicated page is opened that allows you to view the available documents. To access the off-line mode, just update the app to the latest version available. It is possible to test the functionality by setting the phone in aerial mode and try to access digital documents.