On March 24, 2025, the ‘My Number Driver’s License,’ which integrates the My Number Card and driver’s license, began operation. Since it was time to renew my driver’s license, I applied for both the regular driver’s license and the My Number Driver’s License. At the driver’s license examination center, after completing the renewal procedures, vision test, photo, and renewal lecture, you receive the standard new driver’s license. Those who wish to obtain the My Number Driver’s License then proceed to another room to have the electronic driver’s license information written onto their My Number Card. Additionally, you must access the My Number Portal after that day to complete the linkage process.
By the way, both the regular driver’s license and the My Number driver’s license are issued as IC cards containing the driver’s information. However, globally, there are discussions about storing the information on a smartphone and using it as a mobile driver’s license. Patent No. 7003740 “Mobile Driver’s License and Portable Terminal Device” (Patent Holder: Toppan Printing Co., Ltd.) describes an invention where a public key certificate signed with a public key linked to driver’s license information is provided to a portable terminal device from a terminal authentication server, thereby enabling the portable terminal device to function as a mobile driver’s license.
In the future, if fully automated driving becomes a reality, there may come a time when driver’s licenses are no longer needed. However, until then, technological development related to driver’s licenses will likely continue for some time. (Conan)
(Reference Site (Japanese only))
https://www.keishicho.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/menkyo/oshirase/individual_number.html