Brits will be able to buy booze with digital ID within months under new rules

Brits will soon be able to present their phones as a form of official identification in pubs and supermarkets when buying alcohol.

When the digital ID was first announced last year, it was met with a lot of backlash but the latest update might just win over even the most sceptical Brits.

The Labour party certainly seem to be taking notes with whatever is going down in Australia, seen as though they already have a digital ID there, as well as the social media ban for under 16s, which is also set to be introduced in the UK.

Earlier this year, the government revealed the first prototype of the digital cards, as well as details on what the scheme might look like, as it promises to become the 'front door' for public services.

And now the latest news means that many more might be rushing to download it, as it will ensure you can buy yourself a pint even if you forget your driving license at home.

Home Office minister Sarah Jones said: "Today I am pleased to inform the House that those members of the public who are fortunate enough to look younger than their age, but are always having to carry their passport or driving licence to prove they are 18 or over to buy a pint in a pub, will soon no longer have this dilemma.

“In future, digital ID will be a quick and secure way to prove age without revealing any additional personal details to bar staff, and will mean that passports can be left safely at home by those who choose this option."

A mockup of what the digital ID could look like (Tony Blair Institute)

Although the passes will no longer be mandatory following a U-turn from departing prime minister Sir Keir Starmer, this will certainly be an incentive for people to download them to their phones rather than carrying driving licenses or passports with them to the pub or supermarket to buy booze.

When it was confirmed at the end of 2025, Starmer said: "Digital ID is an enormous opportunity for the UK.

"It will make it tougher to work illegally in this country, making our borders more secure.

"And it will also offer ordinary citizens countless benefits, like being able to prove your identity to access key services swiftly - rather than hunting around for an old utility bill."

You won't need to worry about taking a driving license with you to the pub (Channel Four)

The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology also added that 'it will not be mandatory for everyone in the UK to have a digital ID'.

“If you wish to work in the UK, your employers will be legally required to check your digital ID as proof of right to work,” they said.

Although the full digital ID system isn't expected to come into place until 2029, when we'd all probably look old enough to buy alcohol anyway, it seems as if this particular app will land far sooner, with the Labour government targeting an Autumn 2026 release.