iPhone Driver's License Support Expands to Montana

[MacRumors]

iPhone users located in Montana can now add their driver's licenses and IDs to the Apple Wallet app on the iPhone and Apple Watch, allowing an on-device digital ID to be used instead of a physical ID.

The Montana Motor Vehicle Division launched Montana Mobile IDs today. The mobile IDs are able to be used for identity verification online, in-app, and in-person. Participating businesses can use Montana mobile IDs to verify the age of a user for an age-restricted purchase without the need for additional information like name, address, and birth date.

"We have spent the last three years modernizing MVD and improving operating efficiencies and customer service," MVD Administrator Laurie Bakri said. "Now that we have overhauled the basics, we are excited to embark on an era of innovation, starting with Montana Mobile IDs and the Montana Mobile ID Verifier for Android and iOS mobile devices."

Montana residents can add a license or state ID to the Apple Wallet app by opening it, tapping on the "+" button, and following the onscreen instructions.

According to the Montana Motor Vehicle Division, mobile IDs can be used at businesses and organizations that have opted to participate. The IDs are accepted at MVD exam stations with a check-in kiosk, and the TSA has confirmed that mobile IDs can be used at more than 250 TSA airports across the United States. By the end of this year, the Montana Highway Patrol should have the ability to verify mobile IDs.

Montana has launched a Montana Mobile ID Verifier app for businesses, making it simple for businesses to accept mobile IDs in the state.

Digital IDs on the iPhone and Apple Watch are not accepted everywhere, and Montana officials say that users should always carry a physical license as well.

Apple announced a new Wallet app that supported digital IDs back in 2022, but states have been slow to adopt the feature. Arizona, Colorado, Georgia, Maryland, New Mexico, Iowa, California, Hawaii, and Ohio have implemented support, as has Puerto Rico. Apple has said that Mississippi, Illinois, Connecticut, Kentucky, Oklahoma, Utah, and West Virginia are working on support.

Article Link: iPhone Driver's License Support Expands to Montana

 

[mattopotamus]

Still a completely useless feature until it can actually replace a physical ID.

 

[zach-coleman]

Still a completely useless feature until it can actually replace a physical ID.

Same thing was said about Apple Pay at the time, now it's almost difficult to find people that don't accept it, even vendors at farmers markets. (Where I live, at least.)

 

[ChrisA]

Same thing was said about Apple Pay at the time, now it's almost difficult to find people that don't accept it, even vendors at farmers markets. (Where I live, at least.)

Only people who don't accept it are beggars at freeway exits. But soon they will need to get on board, as people don't carry cash.

 

[mrgraff]

I have mine in New Mexico, but TSA doesn't seem ready to accept it yet; not here or any major airport I've flown through

 

[dontwalkhand]

Awesome for the four people that live there!

 

[victorvictoria]

It's going to happen in every state, unlike gen 2 CarPlay. Matter of when, not if.

 

[TaxiZaphod]

Still a completely useless feature until it can actually replace a physical ID.

Translation: "I let the perfect be the enemy of the good."

As others have noted above: you have to start somewhere.

 

[webbuzz]

Illinois is supposed to have it available by end of year.

 

[ryanmp]

Still a completely useless feature until it can actually replace a physical ID.

It will happen. I can tell you it is so nice to no longer need to carry a wallet or any physical card whatsoever.

 

[jz0309]

I'm all for this, but, until state and federal government say that it can be used in lieu of a physical card - better carry your physical card.

 

[victorvictoria]

Awesome for the four people that live there!

Not really. Only one has an iPhone. The other three still rely on their party line phone on the wall.

 

[Vulkan]

and in Texas, we are behind the cows ass, still no sign of adopting this. I need to find a state that is more technological than this pasture cow haven.

 

[pavelbure]

Pennsylvania still looking for a way to monetize it.

 

[IIGS User]

Pennsylvania still looking for a way to monetize it.

The Commonwealth will mess it up somehow. It’s what they do.

It amazes me that so many states still haven’t figured this out yet.

And it will catch on. Just like Apple Pay. All the venues around here are “cashless” now. I take my ID and one physical card as a backup.

 

[jaytv111]

But the apple wallet ID really is useless. The few times I've used it, the TSA agent still asked to see my physical ID eliminating its convenience, and the limited support of airports in the US means that only a select few even consider the thing. You fly to an airport that doesn't accept it? Even more of a waste of time.

This and the passport they received are just novelty until there's actual widespread acceptance.

This is a problem of government moving slow, you can't use it everywhere and no one says you can use it everywhere, and you have to have a plastic card as backup. Even the TSA agents have the discretion to ask for a plastic ID. I think it's TSA Pre and not regular TSA that they allow most digital ID users to pass right through.

it's possible to use it and therefore it's not useless, it just has the caveat it's not universal, and it's not a full replacement for the card even when it can be used.

Outside of TSA it can be used in apps, and it can be used to get into venues if ID is needed.

 

[MNWildFan]

and in Texas, we are behind the cows ass, still no sign of adopting this. I need to find a state that is more technological than this pasture cow haven.

And same with Minnesota

Heck, it wasn't until recent years that for our vehicle's license plate stickers/tabs, you had to go to a DMV (or DVS as they are called here) or go online to have them shipped and now at select grocery stores you can do it, whereas in one of our neighbors in Wisconsin, you could go anywhere (even a gas station) to get them renewed

 

[jaytv111]

What do you do about states that have laws against digital IDs due to major data breaches in their past? You'll have your digital ID, but you'll still need the physical for travel in those places. It's not going to be ubiquitous like a nationwide payment system. You have 50+ jurisdictions to deal with.

It may be decades before all can truly leave the plastic ID at home (if one wishes), unless you know what you're doing, where you're going, and the legality of digital ID in where you're going.

You are told you must still have the plastic ID at TSA. It's mostly TSA Pre they let people through without hassling for a physical ID.

I don't think a state can ban it from being used at TSA (or other federal agencies). But a state can prohibit itself from using digital ID. That's unfortunate but it doesn't change a whole lot. It just means a full transition could take decades. Maybe future state governments won't be so antagonistic towards it, who knows.

Interestingly, the data breaches argument is hilarious given so many DMV breaches have specifically involved no digital ID at all, just the DMV databases getting breached due to security lapses, but once records are digitized anyway it's not like there's any greater risk of a breach, it's already 100% breachable! They should make the law that the DMV has to go back to paper if they want no electronic breaches.

 

[dontwalkhand]

But the apple wallet ID really is useless. The few times I've used it, the TSA agent still asked to see my physical ID eliminating its convenience, and the limited support of airports in the US means that only a select few even consider the thing. You fly to an airport that doesn't accept it? Even more of a waste of time.

This and the passport they received are just novelty until there's actual widespread acceptance.

I’ve used it flawlessly at airports in CA, AZ and UT almost weekly. Never had the agent asked me for my physical ID.

Surprisingly the place I have had the most difficulty using it was picking up items AT AN APPLE STORE!

 

[WarmWinterHat]

Not for me, as I'm more likely to carry my minimalist card holder (three cards) and leave my iPhone at home, or wherever, but looks good for people who want it!

 

[deeddawg]

What do you do about states that have laws against digital IDs due to major data breaches in their past? You'll have your digital ID, but you'll still need the physical for travel in those places. It's not going to be ubiquitous like a nationwide payment system. You have 50+ jurisdictions to deal with.

Which states have laws against digital IDs due to major data breeches?

Also, which state(s) is issuing digital ID in lieu of a physical drivers license?

My understanding it it's intended as a supplement, not replacement, useful for convenience and controlling what data is collected when presenting your ID as places take up having readers.

 

[Prof.]

Still waiting for Illinois to launch theirs. Wasn't it supposed to be available by the end of 2025? We're getting close!

 

[Robert.Walter]

Very much looking fwd to passport entry and eventually my state adding drivers license. Detroit may have put the world on wheels. But Lansing can’t get its DL into the Apple wallet.

 

[shakopeemn]

Not for me, as I'm more likely to carry my minimalist card holder (three cards) and leave my iPhone at home, or wherever, but looks good for people who want it! --taking a break from buying any tech for the next few years ✌🏻--

I take it the break time is over.

 

[kycophpd]

Kentucky did an app (not Wallet, like they initially said) that was in beta testing for several months. It worked well from my limited testing of it, but they have since pulled it due to other priorities that came about. So don't look for Kentucky any time soon.