iPhone Driver's License Feature Slow to Expand, Only Available in Three States

[reximilian]

I live in AZ and have flown out of PHX a handful of times since I set up the digital Drivers License but I have yet to have an opportunity to actually use it. In the terminal I usually fly out of (for SW) there's a sign that reads only the other terminals accept the digital wallet. I recently flew out of another terminal and asked if I could use it and the TSA agent looked confused and said she needed my physical ID.

 

[uncle.zed]

Many of people from the States, including myself, love to think we are the most advanced country in the world. While I love the US, I’ve traveled enough to know we are far behind the technology curve. Many countries across Asia and Europe are far more technologically advanced at least on an application level.

. We use hardware and software designed in USA... and make kinda better use of it strange world .. and yes. the US booble is sometimes funny in action

 

[Mgkwho]

Many of these states still need to pass legislation to allow it. NJ for example announced their intent to do so last year but is not on this list; I imagine many more states are similarly waiting for their reps to send it to their governors.

 

[ignatius345]

Unfortunately, states have been slow to adopt the feature

This should be slow to roll out. More important to make sure it's as secure and usable as possible than to just plow ahead.

 

[ethanwa79]

Europe, Poland. I carry around only iPhone here.
Apple Pay works everywhare, havent used cash for ages.
ID, Driver's license, and other documents in APP.
I wonder why USA is so slow with this stuff.

Because the United States has 300 million more people. The state of California alone has a population bigger than Poland.

Instead of thinking of the USA as a country, think of it as ALL of Europe, with each state being the equivalent to its own country.

Look at what it took just to get the Euro to all of Europe (and even then the UK and other countries declined). That’s similar to the issue here.

 

[ChelseaDrew]

I know that it’s just a start, but still weird for me that the only place to use this is airports. You still need a physical ID for your return trip if you’re not traveling between AZ, CO, or MD. I feel like this is hardly convenient.

I’ll be much more excited for this when I don’t need to carry my physical license when driving within my state, at least.

Unless you are a "Clear Member." They do random ID checks and I do have my DL on my phone as I live in CO now but I've legit flown from Florida to Colorado and back with out a ID.

 

[DenverBecca]

I don’t understand why Apple isn’t using this technology in the Apple stores. When I go in to pick up an online order, I have to show my ID. Couldn’t this be done with these digital drivers licenses?

 

[iGeneo]

I welcome this, but we may not be shooting high enough. I can now enter the US (Global Entry) from Europe, without even presenting my Passport, a simple eye scan and I am through in 5 seconds. That's the world I want

 

[contacos]

Europe, Poland. I carry around only iPhone here.
Apple Pay works everywhare, havent used cash for ages.
ID, Driver's license, and other documents in APP.
I wonder why USA is so slow with this stuff.

Meanwhile your neighbor Germany is still using fax and it took me 4 months to get my drivers license replaced 😅

 

[cbr600]

I've tried to use it twice in BWI. It never worked. It was slow to then find out there was an "error". No problem just scanning by driver license. This feature may not be all that is claimed to be...

 

[uncle.zed]

Because the United States has 300 million more people. The state of California alone has a population bigger than Poland.

Instead of thinking of the USA as a country, think of it as ALL of Europe, with each state being the equivalent to its own country.

Look at what it took just to get the Euro to all of Europe (and even then the UK and other countries declined). That’s similar to the issue here.

I'am sorry but can't see the reason why US population number has anything to do with that. It's a matter of gov/busisness setup etc.. it desn't matter if you make app for 37 mil or 330 mil pepole. its still app / concept / legistlation made by few people for whole community. Our frinds from Czech republic, that's 1/4 of size of Poland, have basiclly the same amount of tech progress....

 

[uncle.zed]

Meanwhile your neighbor Germany is still using fax and it took me 4 months to get my drivers license replaced 😅

haha.. we still have fax numbers on business cards here and sometimes phisicall faxes in offices.. but nobady uses that.. they simply forgot to unplugi it

 

[jz0309]

Designed in California - written on every Apple product - why isn’t Apple working with the state to bring this “in house” so to speak?

 

[CrownSeven]

I don't think people realize that in order for a state to participate in this, they have to pay apple ongoing fees/support costs which are not insignificant, for the privilege of using the wallet for id cards. So those of you saying 'why is my state spending money on their own solution' - this is why. Apple should not be charging ANYTHING for this.

 

[rjohnstone]

I'am sorry but can't see the reason why US population number has anything to do with that. It's a matter of gov/busisness setup etc.. it desn't matter if you make app for 37 mil or 330 mil pepole. its still app / concept / legistlation made by few people for whole community. Our frinds from Czech republic, that's 1/4 of size of Poland, have basiclly the same amount of tech progress....

Each state regulates their own licenses. Each state also regulates local business.
The federal government does not issue or regulate drivers licenses.It's basically 50 separate legislatures that have to agree on a standard.
The Real-ID program required for air travel by the government is a hot mess because each state has their own method of issuing ID cards. it's been delayed several times. Was supposed to be in place years ago.

 

[bondjw07]

I live in MD and had this as soon as they made it available. What they don't tell you is that it gets removed from your phone when you upgrade to a new device and you need to do the whole process over again (take pictures, submit, wait for the approval). I never used it while I had it, so I didn't take the time to set it up again. I think it is a great start, I expect we won't see the benefits for many many years to come.

 

[Kataphan]

Something to be proud of:

’Ukraine has become the first state in the world, that launched digital passports and has become the fourth country in Europe, that launched digital driver's licenses and vehicle registration documents.
Diia app was downloaded by more than 5 million Ukrainians.'

 

[RevTEG]

I'am sorry but can't see the reason why US population number has anything to do with that. It's a matter of gov/busisness setup etc.. it desn't matter if you make app for 37 mil or 330 mil pepole. its still app / concept / legistlation made by few people for whole community. Our frinds from Czech republic, that's 1/4 of size of Poland, have basiclly the same amount of tech progress....

i agree with you. However, it has to be taken into consideration that in the States, even though connected to the Federal government, each State operates somewhat separate. That has benefits and complications.

 

[DMG35]

There has to be some underlying reason why states aren't adopting this feature. Its total BS.

 

[surfzen21]

Supposedly New York is working on their own digital ID. I'd rather they spend their money on other things, but that's just me.

Of course they are. I'll guess it will be overly complicated and not work as intended.

 

[jrath1]

Sorry, not handing my phone over as ID to anyone.

 

[jaytv111]

I live in MD and had this as soon as they made it available. What they don't tell you is that it gets removed from your phone when you upgrade to a new device and you need to do the whole process over again (take pictures, submit, wait for the approval). I never used it while I had it, so I didn't take the time to set it up again. I think it is a great start, I expect we won't see the benefits for many many years to come.

Probably because they set up a token system that links the specific device to your ID on the backend. They don't want someone impersonating you if they, let's say, got access to your iCloud backups.

It's just like this for Apple Pay credit and debit cards, and car keys in Apple Wallet.

 

[d686546s]

I welcome this, but we may not be shooting high enough. I can now enter the US (Global Entry) from Europe, without even presenting my Passport, a simple eye scan and I am through in 5 seconds. That's the world I want

You want a world with centralised biometric verification for everything? That's a privacy nightmare and I'm not sure any level of convenience could ever make up for it.

 

[iGeneo]

You want a world with centralised biometric verification for everything? That's a privacy nightmare and I'm not sure any level of convenience could ever make up for it.

Sure.. or you can hand over a plastic card that has the same info

 

[Picklefoot]

This is just so disappointing. I've been looking forward to it. I am down to carrying three things on me at all times - a credit card, a debit card and an ID. I would love to carry less and this would be a big push in that direction! Great technology. Needs more adoption.

Haha, the “convenience” of not carrying a card is going to push everyone towards Digital ID. The stage has been set by lazy, low critical thinkers.