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iPhone Driver's License Support Coming Soon to California
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It’s for Android too so not a complete waste.
Edit: Never mind. Guess Google is implementing a similar thing.
Will this suffice as REAL ID? I believe that is the standard on the federal level. I still have to get to the DMV and upgrade...or maybe not?
With my GA License in my Wallet, TSA explicitly stated (at the gate) that it only applies to TSA Pre clientele ;(
I made travel assumptions based upon the reported support (at that time (last year)), and the Gate Rep insisted that I had to show them my physical ID.
Nevertheless, it sure looks Purty in my Wallet
You are not absolutely required to update your license to meet REAL ID standards, but not doing so means that you will not be able to enter into a nuclear facility (channel your inner-Homer), any federal facility (do you foresee a traffic accident that requires you to attend court in your future?), and--most-importantly--use it for commercial air travel (e.g. "fly somewhere on a commercial airline").
Digital ID is a separate thing, exclusive of, well, just about everything else it seems
CA DMV is pushing this option too via their own beta app.. So really wasn't expecting apple to still do this but I'm trying it out regardless! Dmv app is obviously slow and dated!
Fun story, I was coming back into the country through Honolulu and used it at the TSA checkpoint once I exited customs. It was not only the first time the TSA agent had seen someone use it, but they didn't realize their station was capable of processing it.
The newer stations with face cameras can all use it, unless the TSA agents themselves have turned the feature off (some airports they have started being worried the feature is being pushed out to reduce workforce)
California is using multiple formats (partially because they want to issue things other than driving licenses), so they need their own app to handle the rest outside wallet.
REAL ID is the fed telling states how they need to verify citizen identity and how they need to secure that in an issued credential (e.g. no honor system to write their name on scratch paper with a sharpie, next to a stick-figure rendition of their face). The threat for REAL ID is that the politicians will have to answer to their citizens how they couldn't get their act together, and why those citizens can't go into federal buildings or through airport security anymore.
You have to get a new REAL ID license because the state didn't do a good enough job making sure it was you last time (at least as far as the fed is concerned).
It is a compromise since everyone seems to freak out at the feds knowing who people are; it gets offloaded to the state, who then share information with the fed as needed. Chuck it into the same pile of workarounds which caused knowledge of a nine digit number for a retirement fund to be used to open bank accounts.
There is no intention to issue non-REAL-ID digital licenses, and if a state did so the fed would still not accept them.
I'm iffy on how this works with Canada, who use a purposely similar system on a provincial (rather than state) level.
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The mobile driving license used here is somewhat worthless for identifying a person without using hardware, and requires the owner to do a biometric unlock. I believe on an international level they have agreed visual inspection to not be considered a valid alternative - its all wifi, bluetooth and NFC.
I've heard rumors this is all funding-based - there aren't ubiquitous handhelds given to LE that can read these, and they designed to only be official when read digitally.
In Colorado as an example, they built their own system using their mobile app which let traffic cops hold up a sheet with a static QR code, and your phone used cellular internet access to request your license information be sent by the state to the terminal installed in their vehicle. This system will still be deployed and preferred for a while because thats the equipment they have. They can accept their own digital license infrastructure (Colorado residents being stopped by Colorado LE), but not standard digital licenses like Apple has in their wallet.
I don't want to start a discussion about this.
If you are in the US, and you don't know which rights you have when the cops stops you, then I think you need to read up on it.
I know there good cops - but there are also bad cops, and it is primary when a bad cop stops you "for no valid reason" you need to use your rights - e.g. about showing them your ID.
I'll leave it here - I won't comment more detailed on it - it is not worth anything to me.
If the TSA accepts it, which it does, that probably means it's REAL ID compatible, but your address needs to be verified, in other words you already need REAL ID on your license if you hope to actually use it at TSA (which is the only in-person accepted use for Apple Wallet ID).
REAL ID will be required for domestic air travel on May 7, 2025, so I would hazard a guess that it's REAL ID compliant or else Apple made the Wallet ID system only work for like 3 years.
Oregon is pretty far behind (they haven't done a successful REAL ID rollout yet, which is a pre-requisite for this having value).
My understanding is that there were some states who got an easier initial deployment since they used a vendor who was involved in the standard and had support (IDEMIA), a few other states now have funding to do custom integrations. New York is an IDEMIA customer, so I'm not sure why they haven't rolled anything out yet - likely they don't use enough products to make this a simple integration.
The challenge for many may be political. Priority is likely not being driven by the DMV, but instead by some other group like statewide IT or the Governor's office. The DMV, being separate from say DOT who has constant expensive road construction projects, may be cash-positive and doesn't' get much if any state funding. The DMV doesn't yet see any reason to prioritize this and spend their own money, but today they have to own the system.
So I think a lot of states have this gated behind centralizing citizen identification (not just driving licenses, but things like business licenses, vehicle registrations, hunting/fishing permits, etc) and are shuffling responsibilities around.
