Apple's iPhone Driver's License Feature Now Available in 11 U.S. States

[jaytv111]

Already changed in some states? Which? If and when they do, what terminal will an officer bring to the window of your car? Are these states going to issue iphones to all officers to read your wallet?

If the officer is going to carry something to read the apple wallet, better if they have a device that works like Apple Face ID and simply scan your face. That's what TSA pre-check is already piloting at some airports.

Georgia passed a law over the summer to study the technology and have police accept it by 2 years from then. Montana said their officers should accept it by years end.

Still remains to be seen because they can always delay.

The officer brings a phone. Could also scan a traditional ID card too. One device for both. Phone just needs an app on it that takes NFC read and submits to the back end.

I know about facial recognition at airports, but I don’t know if they have a mobile reader for facial recognition yet. The airport version is like a mini photobooth. Plus some privacy-types are against the government having your biometrics on file.

 

[Robert.Walter]

Google told me yesterday that DTW Detroit also accepts.

 

[jaytv111]

Can anyone who knows, help me to understand the difference between this and a dedicated app? I'm in MO and we have a separate app to achieve this, so I don't think we will ever truly support the wallet driver license thing. But - is there a particular reason for MO not to? I know when I talked to one person they had some floating icon thing that they claimed meant it was authentic; how does the wallet app compare?

I got the app but still carry my ID everywhere, so... it didn't really change anything.

A dedicated app is what states use, but it has a barcode and it's basically the ID card but on phone. Apple's system uses NFC and it's a tokenized approach. Unlimited copies can be made of barcodes, but Apple's system is using a similar approach to Apple Pay, a key on the phone never leaves the phone and crypto operations prove the key is present, which prevents copying to other devices.

Currently states don't accept the Apple version, but Georgia and Montana have the potential to because they said they will in the future accept the Apple system.

The feds (TSA) accept the Apple system for its higher security, but it also has its roadblocks to further deployment. When the passport version launches on iOS theoretically it means everyone in the USA could get it (but they need a passport), that could help boost adoption by airports and maybe bring it to other federal facilities (they don't accept it currently).

As for state adoption of the Apple system (which I believe Android has a similar system too, they already accept passports), the states often don't want to invest in new infrastructure, and it does require new IT purchases to be made to deploy the wallet IDs, there's an additional token system built on top of the ID database, the token system controls access between device and requestor. A simple barcode can go right into the ID database itself, no tokenization.

 

[Permanent Sigh]

Why would you voluntarily hand over your phone to the police?

You don’t. Every single time a story like this comes up a misinformed comment like this invariably follows…

 

[Fallforward]

Georgia passed a law over the summer to study the technology and have police accept it by 2 years from then. Montana said their officers should accept it by years end.

Still remains to be seen because they can always delay.

The officer brings a phone. Could also scan a traditional ID card too. One device for both. Phone just needs an app on it that takes NFC read and submits to the back end.

I know about facial recognition at airports, but I don’t know if they have a mobile reader for facial recognition yet. The airport version is like a mini photobooth. Plus some privacy-types are against the government having your biometrics on file.

You make a lot of good points. It will be interesting to see what happens at the police level.

One quibble, the scanner looked like an iPad on pedestal next to the TSA person. Just had to face it for a second and done. It looked similar to what United used when boarding some international flights going back a couple years. Regarding privacy, at this point face scan might work only with those who already agreed to their profile online by signing up for services like PreCheck, Global Entry and even uploading a copy of their passport to certian airlines to make international flights simpler.

"Privacy-types" certianly exist. They can't get TSA Pre-Check for domestic or international travel, or US passports without sharing the same data, and more such as fingerprints - as well as having foreign governments capture/scan and and store that data upon arrival.

 

[dontwalkhand]

Louisiana was the first state in the U.S. to offer a digital driver’s license (via LA Wallet) — long before any of the above states.

Yes, but now Louisiana seems invested in their own app (sunk cost fallacy?), that they don’t want to put it in Apple Wallet at all.

 

[Fallforward]

You don’t. Every single time a story like this comes up a misinformed comment like this invariably follows…

You are correct for the wrong reason. No officer in any state has the requisite NFC capability.

 

[carrrrrlos]

Come on Oregon, let’s go.

 

[btrach144]

If North Dakota is able to do this, there’s no reason every other state can’t. No offense ND.

 

[elvisimprsntr]

Florida discontinued its original partnership with Thales to “look for another vendor.” The original Florida ID Thales app had over 521K users when it was discontinued in 2024. The replacement was originally touted to be available in early 2025.

 

[gpwdeux]

This pops up like clockwork!

You scan it at a terminal. No handing phone to police. Never happens. It's like Apple Pay. It really IS Apple Pay, just for a different type of card, ID card.

Except of course the fact that police don't accept this, but they will eventually (Georgia and Montana signed onto accepting this for all uses that a normal driver's license/state ID is used). Laws need to be changed (and have changed in some states) to enable it to be acceptable to scan your phone, phone doesn't leave your hand.

So it’s not really a “driver’s license” then is it. It’s a “digital id” that can be used in some places in some states. But with question is still valid, should it actually ever become a digital drivers license, only an idiot would ever willingly give their phone over to any law enforcement

 

[jaytv111]

So it’s not really a “driver’s license” then is it. It’s a “digital id” that can be used in some places in some states. But with question is still valid, should it actually ever become a digital drivers license, only an idiot would ever willingly give their phone over to any law enforcement

Well it is a digital version of driver’s license (or just state ID, states can also issue a state ID and this also covers those cases as well, not used for driving but used for voting, getting into buildings, etc). It is digital ID, and it could be a driver’s license at some point.

Yes, I guess you’d be an idiot to give over your phone, since you don’t give your phone over. The person was acting like this tech means handing your phone over when it doesn’t. The tech works like Apple Pay, and you hand over your phone for digital ID just like how you’d hand your phone over to pay at a cash register.

 

[Alan Wynn]

So it’s not really a “driver’s license” then is it.

It will serve to replace Driver’s Licenses in for many uses today, and in more and more states over time it will completely replace them, in a safer, more privacy preserving way.

It’s a “digital id” that can be used in some places in some states.

Yes, that is correct. In Montana over the next year it will replace all state uses of a Driver’s License. It will take an extra year in Georgia.

But with question is still valid, should it actually ever become a digital drivers license, only an idiot would ever willingly give their phone over to any law enforcement

Actually, using your formulation, only an idiot would voluntarily hand anyone his or her driver’s license rather than tap a digital ID that only provides only the legally mandated minimum required information.

So, for example, a young woman who only needs to provide proof of age would not be providing the clerk or bouncer her birth date and home address.

Finally, not carrying a physical ID makes it impossible to lose it in the same way as one can today. If one loses one’s phone or one’s watch, both ideas can be invalidated instantaneously, and do not provide information to anybody without the proper biometric information or passwords.

 

[azhava]

My state was the first to implement it, almost 4 years ago, and it's still useful or accepted absolutely nowhere.

I haven't even bothered adding it to my Apple Wallet. I'll get around to it when it's of some use somewhere for something.

 

[koil]

What about the other 96% of planet earth? Any chance we might get some love this century?

 

[MNWildFan]

Even Puerto Rico got this before Illinois lol.

And before Minnesota too

I swear, I feel like it's going to be another year or few at this rate until us here in the gopher state finally get this

 

[MNWildFan]

Google told me yesterday that DTW Detroit also accepts.

Eh, if that came from their AI summary thing, I wouldn't fully trust that

 

[freedogshampoo]

I feel like once the Digital ID with Passport support becomes available it will be a gamechanger. More places will be pressured to accept this as actual ID at bars, airports, etc.

 

[Alan Wynn]

My state was the first to implement it, almost 4 years ago, and it's still useful or accepted absolutely nowhere.

As has been noted before, it is accepted at a large number of TSA checkpoints.

I haven't even bothered adding it to my Apple Wallet. I'll get around to it when it's of some use somewhere for something.

I wonder what would have happened to ApplePay if as many users said what you said: "I will no add cards to my Apple Wallet until people accept it." Since state providers know how many people are using it, people not adopting it, puts less pressure on them to make it more useful.

 

[Beerstalker]

Everyone always complains that you can't use it anywhere, so why bother doing it at all. These people just don't understand that it would be crazy difficult/expensive to have it just work everywhere all at once immediately. These states are going to take their time (some too much) and do this in stages.

They are going to start with getting the backend stuff set up to allow the creation of the IDs. Then they activate it and allow people to set it up on their phones.

They will then notify retailers that they have it set up, and give them the information on how to use it. The retailers will then be on their own to decide how/when to invest in supporting it.

Once that happens they will likely look at demographics and probably start supplying scanners to court houses, police stations, DMVs, etc. based on what areas of the state have the highest concentration of people that have set up their digital IDs.

All of this will take time and a lot of money, but eventually I think/hope it will be accepted everywhere eventually. No state is going to go thru the expense of supporting this without intending to eventually accept it for ID at all of the facilities they control. This is not only going to be used at TSA checkpoints forever.

I'm wondering if we will see a company like Square start supporting this soon with their Hardware/software for stores that use them as cash registers/card readers. I think that would help this gain traction quick. Imaging being able to walk up to the cash register and scan your Apple Watch/iPhone and it both verifies you are over 21, and pays for your goods all with one scan.

 

[Fallforward]

As has been noted before, it is accepted at a large number of TSA checkpoints.



I wonder what would have happened to ApplePay if as many users said what you said: "I will no add cards to my Apple Wallet until people accept it." Since state providers know how many people are using it, people not adopting it, puts less pressure on them to make it more useful.

Good point. It is accepted at 27 large airports that represent maybe 75% of passenger volume.

As a TSA PreCheck user, my most recent experience at one such airport was next level better using face ID called TSA PreCheck Touchless ID. It's a pilot and currently relies on a passport-linked photo that’s stored in the Customs and Border Protection database - so not everybody, but worked for me and my spouse. Just stand still for a second in front of a camera - that's it and they said "Ok" and waved me in. No need to pull out iPhone, double-click, hold near the NFC area, and then repack iphone to go though the x-ray machine.

I wonder whether it will ever be useful with all police in any state. Maybe just some. Police often do more than just glance is drivers licenses. They often enter the number into the system in their petrol car. NFC will require state, county and local departments spend the money to obtain the necessary equipment for every officer to have NFC reader connected back to a central database, perhaps via the patrol car - in which case the system in the petrol car would also require an investment.

 

[Fallforward]

Everyone always complains that you can't use it anywhere, so why bother doing it at all. These people just don't understand that it would be crazy difficult/expensive to have it just work everywhere all at once immediately. These states are going to take their time (some too much) and do this in stages.

They are going to start with getting the backend stuff set up to allow the creation of the IDs. Then they activate it and allow people to set it up on their phones.

They will then notify retailers that they have it set up, and give them the information on how to use it. The retailers will then be on their own to decide how/when to invest in supporting it.

Once that happens they will likely look at demographics and probably start supplying scanners to court houses, police stations, DMVs, etc. based on what areas of the state have the highest concentration of people that have set up their digital IDs.

All of this will take time and a lot of money, but eventually I think/hope it will be accepted everywhere eventually. No state is going to go thru the expense of supporting this without intending to eventually accept it for ID at all of the facilities they control. This is not only going to be used at TSA checkpoints forever.

I'm wondering if we will see a company like Square start supporting this soon with their Hardware/software for stores that use them as cash registers/card readers. I think that would help this gain traction quick. Imaging being able to walk up to the cash register and scan your Apple Watch/iPhone and it both verifies you are over 21, and pays for your goods all with one scan.

Maybe the states will start embedding an NFC chip into the drivers licenses similar to credit cards or even the more robust chip embedded in all passports.

 

[Alan Wynn]

Good point. It is accepted at 27 large airports that represent maybe 75% of passenger volume.

According to TSA it is now accepted at 250+ airports:

To use a Digital ID at any of the 250+ airports, add your acceptable state-issued eligible driver’s license or identification card to your phone using a TSA-approved digital ID app or to your phone's digital wallet.

(Still not clear on the difference between the two TSA sources of information (they list specific airports, but now say 250+.)

My guess is that it is now available at most airports and so they stopped updating their list, but I have not yet had a chance to test that theory yet.

As a TSA PreCheck user, my most recent experience at one such airport was next level better using face ID called TSA PreCheck Touchless ID. It's a pilot and currently relies on a passport-linked photo that’s stored in the Customs and Border Protection database - so not everybody, but worked for me and my spouse. Just stand still for a second in front of a camera - that's it and they said "Ok" and waved me in. No need to pull out iPhone, double-click, hold near the NFC area, and then repack iphone to go though the x-ray machine.

I have Nexus and so qualify for PreCheck Touchless ID, but I find it only offers it about 20% of the time, but the NFC chip on my Nexus card works way more often. In addition, everyone with a digital ID will be eligible for this, as opposed to just those with Global Entry, Nexus and PreCheck.

I wonder whether it will ever be useful with all police in any state.

Yes, and likely pretty soon. Most states already have departments with departments that issue mobile phones to their officers and/or hand held devices to scan licenses and issue tickets. This will just be one more part of that system.

Maybe just some.

Unlikely. There are so many reasons this is better for all involved, that it will not take too long for it to be universal.

Police often do more than just glance is drivers licenses. They often enter the number into the system in their petrol car.

This makes that much easier. They can know instantly if this is a valid ID, without having to worry about entering information incorrectly.

NFC will require state, county and local departments spend the money to obtain the necessary equipment for every officer to have NFC reader connected back to a central database, perhaps via the patrol car - in which case the system in the petrol car would also require an investment.

Most departments are already moving this direction. This lets officers issue printed (and increasingly emailed) citations, without the issue of entering wrong information in a paper logbook. Many of these systems use mobile phones as their handheld devices and are already in place. The increase in accuracy generates enough additional citation revenue and savings by cutting staff who used to do data entry to easily cover the costs of these systems.

 

[Beerstalker]

Maybe the states will start embedding an NFC chip into the drivers licenses similar to credit cards or even the more robust chip embedded in all passports.

Possibly, but for now they will probably just rely on a camera to scan the barcode on the back of most(all?) licenses.

I can see them having a department issued iPhone, or something like that, that can get digital IDs over NFC, or scan the barcodes off physical licenses with a camera.

I even wonder if we will see them start taking Apple Pay right on the same device so you can pay your fines instantly. Possibly the end of "warnings" when you get pulled over, and a nice revenue bump for the state.

 

[Alan Wynn]

Maybe the states will start embedding an NFC chip into the drivers licenses similar to credit cards or even the more robust chip embedded in all passports.

Why add cost? All the readers that do NFC, can also do PDF417, the driver’s license bar code.