The Cabinet has approved the rollout of Second-Generation Smart Driving Licences under a public–private partnership, marking a major step in the government’s efforts to modernise driver licensing and enhance road safety.
In a statement issued after a Cabinet meeting on Monday, the government said the new smart licences will integrate advanced digital features, including an instant fines system, a mobile licence wallet, and a driver merit and demerit points framework.
“Through innovative financing, Cabinet approved the rollout of Second Generation Smart Driving Licences under a public–private partnership, integrating smart licences with an instant fines system, mobile licence wallet and driver merit and demerit points to enhance road safety and modernise licensing,” the statement said.
The Cabinet said the new system is designed to strengthen compliance with traffic laws by enabling real-time enforcement and accountability.
The instant fines mechanism is expected to reduce delays in penalties and limit opportunities for abuse, while the merit and demerit points system will track driver behaviour and promote safer driving practices.
The Cabinet said the mobile licence wallet will allow motorists to securely access and present their driving credentials digitally, reducing reliance on physical documents and improving efficiency during traffic checks.
The adoption of a public–private partnership model is intended to leverage private sector expertise and investment, while easing the fiscal burden on the government.
The Cabinet said the approach aligns with broader efforts to deploy technology-driven solutions in public service delivery.
The rollout of the Second Generation Smart Driving Licences is part of the government’s wider digital transformation agenda, which seeks to improve service efficiency, transparency and public safety across the transport sector.
Unlike earlier smart licences, which mainly focused on secure identification, second-generation smart licences are integrated with real-time digital systems.
They are typically linked to a central traffic management database, allowing authorities to instantly verify a driver’s status, record offences, and apply penalties.
Second-generation smart licences enhance road safety through data-driven enforcement, improve efficiency in licensing and traffic management, and strengthen transparency.
