Apple Plans to Expand iPhone Driver's Licenses to These 7 U.S. States

[jld368]

We were supposed to see this in Illinois this coming year, but not sure what's up with it...

With Mobile Driver’s License Deadline Looming, No Updates From Illinois Secretary Of State

With its effective date just 4 weeks away, state officials have yet to reveal any toward implementing Illinois' new digital ID law.

patch.com

They're probably still working out the details of which vendor will make the app and who gets the kickback for picking that vendor.

 

[Allen_Wentz]

Coming to Illinois starting 1/1/2025 BUT NOT to Apple Wallet. You will need to download a special app to download your digital license. In addition there’s a gotcha in the law that allows police to request the physical license which means you still have to carry your physical drivers license. Why even have a digital license then?

After having driven in all but two US states I can say that one never knows what local LEOs will do, regardless of what we think the law may be; rationality does not necessarily enter into the equation. I only have one vehicle, so I keep my hard copy driver's license in the glove box with the registration and insurance. My state allows me to also buy a [cheap] non-DL identification card that I carry for TSA, stores that require it, etc.

 

[Iscariote]

I live in California and it can not be used with Cops during traffic stops as stated. You still need the actual Driving License, even the electronic one is issued by the DMV. BevMo will not accept it as age verification either. It’s been pretty useless so far. Hope it gets better.

I used it at the airport the other day to see if it worked. It did on the first flight, but the second time I tried to scan it twice and ended up just taking my physical driver's license out.

I definitely don't trust it enough to not bring my ID.

 

[Alameda]

Great. Way to pass along misinformation.

You’re most welcome!
Please let us know how to display an item in the Apple Wallet on a locked phone. Thanks!

 

[Newbee2025]

Florida when?

 

[deeddawg]

I agree with this whole heartedly, never going to use this for that reason alone. Not that I have anything to hide but if it ever comes up and they need my phone they will need to go through the proper legal steps of getting a warrant etc.

Maybe understand how this works before commenting on why you're not going to use it?

Nobody has access to your unlocked phone - you hold it next to a reader instead of handing it over to anyone.

See https://support.apple.com/en-us/118237

 

[Allen_Wentz]

Has anyone used it successfully in a traffic stop?

So the LEO takes your phone back to his vehicle's computer with him? Never ever would I allow that. I keep the hard copy of my license in the glove box with registration and insurance info. LEOs only get to touch paper.

When/if use of handheld readers becomes 100% ubiquitous with local LEOs, only then might I plan on letting a LEO look at my phone in my hand - - maybe. Not that my phone has anything interesting on it, because it does not. But some percentage of LEOs have always been corrupt, and I would not want my contacts list sold or otherwise misused.

 

[ipedro]

Ontario was en route to adopting digital Drivers Licenses in Apple Wallet but a member of Premier Ford's caucus kiboshed the plan citing a conspiracy theory about government surveillance that just wasn't backed by any facts. A digital driver's license has no access to GPS data or any information that the government doesn't already have access to in a physical driver's license card. So we're stuck until a change of government.

‘Our base hates the idea’: Insiders say politics and privacy concerns halted Doug Ford’s promise to put drivers’ licences and health cards on digital wallets

Some Tory supporters are deeply skeptical about having government-issued identification added to Apple Wallets or Google Wallets.

www.thestar.com

 

[Allen_Wentz]

Maybe understand how this works before commenting on why you're not going to use it?

Nobody has access to your unlocked phone since you don't unlock it and hold it next to a reader instead of handing it over to anyone.

See https://support.apple.com/en-us/118237

Please advise where this works with "since you don't unlock it." Seems to me unlocking the phone is required. Once that is done all kinds of data theft are feasible.

 

[ipedro]

Please advise where this works with "since you don't unlock it." Seems to me unlocking the phone is required. Once that is done all kinds of data theft are feasible.

At participating airports, it works like Apple Pay. You tap your phone on the terminal, it tells you explicitly what information it's requesting (DOB, ID #, etc), you double click the side button to authenticate with Face ID.

Authorizing a feature is not the same as unlocking your phone. They use the same authentication method (Face ID) but they're completely separate processes. You're in possession of your phone the whole time.

 

[deeddawg]

You’re most welcome!
Please let us know how to display an item in the Apple Wallet on a locked phone. Thanks!

Sure. Same way as how you present other wallet items such as boarding passes or concert / sports tickets.

Present your driver's license from Apple Wallet - Apple Support

Use your iPhone or Apple Watch to present your eligible license or ID at select Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoints, businesses, and venues. You can also share your identity information in participating apps.

support.apple.com

 

[deeddawg]

Please advise where this works with "since you don't unlock it." Seems to me unlocking the phone is required. Once that is done all kinds of data theft are feasible.

Functionally the same as how you present an event ticket or membership card or airline boarding pass or any of the myriad other non-credit card stuff held in your Wallet.

Read the support document I linked. Relevant text in my prior post.

 

[pacmania1982]

I wish they'd hurry up and do it here for the UK.

 

[lovehateapple]

This way, when you get pulled over, you’re going to hand your unlocked phone to the police when asked for your license and registration. Not sure many lawyers think that’s a great idea.

This is why I will always carry my physical license with me even if I have a digital version on my phone.

 

[jole]

I have had this in California since day 1, but have not yet figured out where to use it. Every place I have tried has turned it down.

Now that one needs to carry physical DL anyways, digital DL seems completely useless and unnecessary.

 

[Allen_Wentz]

At participating airports, it works like Apple Pay. You tap your phone on the terminal, it tells you explicitly what information it's requesting (DOB, ID #, etc), you double click the side button to authenticate with Face ID.

Authorizing a feature is not the same as unlocking your phone. They use the same authentication method (Face ID) but they're completely separate processes. You're in possession of your phone the whole time.

Functionally the same as how you present an event ticket or membership card or airline boarding pass or any of the myriad other non-credit card stuff held in your Wallet.

Read the support document I linked. Relevant text in my prior post.

The point is not about a LEO providing a fully modern device screen for the phone owner to tap the phone on. Those have always been fine, but I have not seen them in the field. All I have seen is computers in police cars. IMO handing a phone over to another person is not a reasonable act.

 

[wdfly]

Maybe understand how this works before commenting on why you're not going to use it?

Nobody has access to your unlocked phone - you hold it next to a reader instead of handing it over to anyone.

See https://support.apple.com/en-us/118237

View attachment 2468320

I don't really care how it works, I will never use it regardless of needing to unlock or not. Besides, any time you wake your phone now it face scans (if enabled) and unlocks your phone, all the cop would have to do is swipe up and there you are.

 

[deeddawg]

The point is not about a LEO providing a fully modern device screen for the phone owner to tap the phone on. Those have always been fine, but I have not seen them in the field. All I have seen is computers in police cars. IMO handing a phone over to another person is not a reasonable act.

Again, you're commenting based on a flawed understanding of how this works.

The digital license is not a replacement for your physical drivers license, it is a supplement for times when it's more convenient to use your apple watch or phone wallet.

If there's not a compatible reader, you present your physical drivers license not your phone.

 

[ipedro]

The point is not about a LEO providing a fully modern device screen for the phone owner to tap the phone on. Those have always been fine, but I have not seen them in the field. All I have seen is computers in police cars. IMO handing a phone over to another person is not a reasonable act.

Nobody is suggesting you hand your phone over to a cop.

There's just so much paranoia over something that should be logically deduced. If they don't have a mobile terminal to request a digital ID at your car window, then they're not going to have it in the car computer either, which is not capable of reading the information anyway. These readers aren't the size of a microwave, they're either portable or they're not capable. Continue to carry your driver's license until you're comfortable that every cop in your state has a portable reader.

 

[deeddawg]

I don't really care how it works, I will never use it regardless of needing to unlock or not. Besides, any time you wake your phone now it face scans (if enabled) and unlocks your phone, all the cop would have to do is swipe up and there you are.

Yes, it's clear you can't be bothered to understand something before making misinformed comments.

You don't hand your phone over to anyone. If there's not a reader you don't present your digital DL since there's nothing the other person can do with it.

Easy peasy.

 

[wdfly]

Yes, it's clear you can't be bothered to understand something before making comments based on your lack of understanding.

If there's not a reader you don't present your digital DL. Easy peasy. You don't hand your phone over to anyone.

I think you are simply under-thinking this. I have a very sound understanding of technology, I also have a very sound understanding of what can happen as a consequence of performing another action. The phone will not just broadcast this information without some sort of interaction with the phone on your part and to do that it will have to (or should) authenticate you by unlocking or enabling the transmission. Once this happens what is to stop the cop from taking your phone from you after arresting you and now that it is unlocked, looking through it. I am not saying it is completely dangerous, just saying there are a lot of possible outcomes that can negatively affect the owner.

but sure, continue to insult me and others because we don't agree with you.

 

[deeddawg]

Continue to carry your driver's license until you're comfortable that every cop in your state has a portable reader.

In the state of Georgia, drivers are required to carry physical license for the forseeable future.

This is sort of like the early days of applepay. There's a few places where it's useful, and you still needed your physical cards most of the time. Over time the technology saw greater adoption and even now there's still the occasional situation where a physical card is needed or simpler to use. I expect same with DLs.

 

[ipedro]

The phone will not just broadcast this information without some sort of interaction with the phone on your part and to do that it will have to (or should) authenticate you by unlocking or enabling the transmission. Once this happens what is to stop the cop from taking your phone from you after arresting you and now that it is unlocked, looking through it.

This does not unlock your phone. It authorizes a specific granting of information.

Just like you don't hand your phone unlocked to a grocery teller to pay for your purchase. Even with your phone in hand ready to tap to pay, you don't need to unlock your phone to pay for your purchases either, you double click the side button to bring up your wallet, you authorize it with Face ID and tap your phone. End of transaction, your phone is still locked.

If someone grabs your phone from your hand, they don't have access to your entire phone anyway, nor can they even use your phone to pay for anything because it'll time out rather quickly.

I think you are simply under-thinking this. I have a very sound understanding of technology

Once again, you are only confirming the information to pass onto a Digital ID reader with Face ID, not unlocking your phone. If you're failing repeatedly to understand this, then you do not have a "sound understanding of technology". You've demonstrated that repeatedly.

 

[deeddawg]

I think you are simply under-thinking this. I have a very sound understanding of technology, I also have a very sound understanding of what can happen as a consequence of performing another action. The phone will not just broadcast this information without some sort of interaction with the phone on your part and to do that it will have to (or should) authenticate you by unlocking or enabling the transmission. Once this happens what is to stop the cop from taking your phone from you after arresting you and now that it is unlocked, looking through it. I am not saying it is completely dangerous, just saying there are a lot of possible outcomes that can negatively affect the owner.

but sure, continue to insult me and others because we don't agree with you.

So now we're down the rabbit hole.

Presently - without digital DL - what's to prevent the LEO from unlocking your phone by holding it up to your face without warning before you think to close your eyes?

Apart from that pesky 4th amendment and the need for a probable-cause based search warrant that is...

Edit - as for "insults" I've just stated facts. Anyone thinking they'd need to hand over their phone doesn't understand how this works. The digital DL shows my first name and last initial on the screen. That's all. Everything else requires a reader, and unless presented with one I'd provide my physical DL instead.

 

[ipedro]

In the state of Georgia, drivers are required to carry physical license for the forseeable future.

This is sort of like the early days of applepay. There's a few places where it's useful, and you still needed your physical cards most of the time. Over time the technology saw greater adoption and even now there's still the occasional situation where a physical card is needed or simpler to use. I expect same with DLs.

Ironically, in the "early days of Apple Pay", I was immediately able to use it virtually everywhere in Toronto because in Canada, contactless payments were already fairly ubiquitous in the early 2010s through our nationwide debit infrastructure (Interac).

I had just gotten the original Apple Watch Series 0 and remember walking into a grocery store, tapping my Watch to pay and the lady looked at me confused and wanted to call her manager. I said: look at your register, what does it say? Payment tendered. Ok, then we're done here, have a nice day.

As for digital driver's licenses, I think this is going to be useful in every day ID verifications before it's rolled out widely to LEOs and airports. Verifying your ID to buy liquor, getting into a bar, etc. The real privacy benefit is going to come from those interactions anyway, not road side police stops where cops already have access to all your info via your license plate anyway.

On the other hand, a bouncer at a bar doesn't need to know your name or driver's license number. They just need to know that you're of legal age. Tapping your iPhone or Apple Watch will come up with a request: Provide DOB? Provide photo? You double click the side button and all they see is that it's you and that you're either of legal age, or not of legal age.