Privacy and digital trust are foundational to the successful development and deployment of Vehicular Ad Hoc Networks (VANETs). These networks rely on secure communication between vehicles and infrastructure to ensure road safety and efficient traffic management. However, the dynamic, decentralized, and open architecture of VANETs introduces significant challenges in maintaining privacy and security, which are integral to fostering digital trust. This chapter uses VANETs as a case study to examine the critical interplay between privacy and digital trust, emphasizing how authentication mechanisms, such as Public Key Infrastructure (PKI)-based and blockchain-based approaches, exemplify the principles of digital trust. The chapter evaluates these schemes by analyzing their strengths, limitations, and applicability within the VANET environment. Additionally, it reviews current research advancements in trust management, highlighting the role of cryptographic techniques, decentralized trust models, and emerging technologies such as blockchain and 5G in enhancing privacy and security. Finally, the chapter outlines future research directions to address scalability, efficiency, and interdisciplinary challenges, advancing privacy and digital trust within vehicular networks.