Digital driver's license: What to do with an empty cell phone battery?

The digital driver's license has been offered in Germany since April 2025. Drivers can now save their driver's license on their smartphone and no longer need a plastic card. However, this new regulation also has questions and uncertainties, especially when it comes to using the digital document during a traffic control.

The situation is particularly worrying when the cell phone battery is empty. In such cases, drivers can be punished with a warfare of 10 euros if they cannot show the driver's license during a check. In addition, the “non-retained” of the driver's license is considered an administrative offense. However, the police have access to their information systems and can check whether a driver owned a valid driver's license, regardless of whether the driver's license is physically or the cell phone battery is empty, such as [Echo24 reported] (https://www.echo24.de/auto/digitler-fuehrerschein-handy-ku-leer-Strafe-busspolle-polen-preufer-trolle-verkehr- 93673988.html).

Details on the digital driver's license

In addition to the practical aspects of the digital driver's license, this regulation was introduced as part of a pilot project by the Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure (BMVI). The e-driver's license is optional and complements the existing physical driver's license. The app used to store the driver's license on smartphones offers many advantages. This includes the encrypted storage of data, secure digital identification and the possibility of quick updating information.

The digital driver's license app is already available and requires a suitable smartphone with current software and an ID card. While advantages such as regulated availability, increased security and easy update are highlighted, there are also disadvantages. This includes the risk of technical problems and data protection concerns. The use of the e-driver's license is also mandatory from the age of 70, including regular medical and eye examinations, such as [driving license) (https://fuehrerschein-zentral.de/e-fuehrerschein-2025-dighaler-fuehrerchein-auf-demsmartphone/).