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California is really slow with these things (Real ID for CO was 2013-14 and 2018 for CA), I expect it to take a while...
I'm guessing part of the deal would be to equip all law enforcement in CA with NFC readers since they're not supposed to touch the phone. But we have lots of money in CA so I wish it would happen sooner than later.
 
I just sent my info off to the DMV in CO. Interested to see how long this takes.


Edit: Whoa - took under 5-min! Un. Ex. Pect. Ed.

Edit #2: Whoa again! The license art is pretty slick. When you rock the phone from left to right, up and down, there is foreground/background separation (depth) and an iridescent rainbow wash that makes it feel almost lenticular. Fancy.

View attachment 2110743

@WilliApple I don't recommend milking that cow. 😜


Whoa! That's so cool, I had no idea the artwork would do that.

Maryland and Arizona users: do your IDs do something like that too?
 
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Whoa! That's so cool, I had no idea the artwork would do that.

Maryland and Arizona users: do your IDs do something like that too?
When I first saw mine, I was surprised that A) it arrived but a few minutes after wending to the DMV, B) it wasn’t like the typical driver M’s license (photo + DOB + etc.) but, instead, an illustrated ram and C) it seemed less than “ visually “official.” Then I moved my iPhone and D) daaaaaaaamn. Pretty slick.

Quick update: the license on Watch has the same iridescent animation as it does in iPhone. 😏

Additionally: When I tap the (i) icon at the top right of my ID, it gives me a phone and website link to Colorado govt. Thoughts some might be interested in this link as it has some fun How Too (that are likely online elsewhere).
 
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When I first saw mine, I was surprised that A) it arrived but a few minutes after wending to the DMV, B) it wasn’t like the typical driver M’s license (photo + DOB + etc.) but, instead, an illustrated ram and C) it seemed less than “ visually “official.” Then I moved my iPhone and D) daaaaaaaamn. Pretty slick.

Quick update: the license on Watch has the same iridescent animation as it does in iPhone. 😏

Additionally: When I tap the (i) icon at the top right of my ID, it gives me a phone and website link to Colorado govt. Thoughts some might be interested in this link as it has some fun How Too (that are likely online elsewhere).
If you click on "i", and then click on "Driver's License Info", it has all the information including your driver's license number.
 
Edit #2: Whoa again! The license art is pretty slick. When you rock the phone from left to right, up and down, there is foreground/background separation (depth) and an iridescent rainbow wash that makes it feel almost lenticular. Fancy.
It is cool looking, but I strongly suspect that's done to make it much harder for someone to, say, take a screenshot of the license displayed in Apple Wallet on their friend's phone and then use the screenshot displayed on their phone to get into bars (or buy booze) when they're underage (or similar nefarious activities).
 
So what is the practical use case for this feature?
Not having to carry your physical license with you. We won't get to a point where that is practical for some years yet, but you have to start somewhere for a thing like this.

Some people are really big on the "not having to carry a wallet" kick, but I think the real problem there is a matter of what you carry - my wallet isn't much more than 1/4" thick - the choices aren't just "no wallet" or "Costanza wallet", there's a whole range in between. But I'd love to have a backup of my drivers license in my iPhone.
 
I was super excited to use my MD digital ID last month on a flight to Utah....but the machine was broken :(
They all suck! I’ve been a frequent flier and I deliberately go to the checkpoint that has this feature enabled. It works maybe 4 out of 10 times. The scanner would just error out without warning.

Last time I tried it, the entire TSA scanner just crashed and had to reboot because somehow my digital ID broke the precheck lane. Ugh. This isn’t anywhere close to being ready for prime time.
 
This is going to be an unpopular opinion, but hear me out.

During a traffic stop, you pop your phone out to show the cop your license. They take the phone to their car computer and, while it’s unlocked, they connect to it and download your information. They find references to drugs. They arrest you.

Dystopian future or possible reality? Just playing Devil’s Advocate. I don’t think this would play out, but is it worth giving them the opportunity?

I probably won’t add my license to my phone.
 
Can you use it for all things ID required? My worry is if you get pulled over speeding a little, they ask for license and registration, do you now need to hand over your iPhone, which they take back to their police car? Hell no if thats the case. Not all Police dept's have devices that can break into your phone, but the ones that do don't talk about it.
 
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Not having to carry your physical license with you. We won't get to a point where that is practical for some years yet, but you have to start somewhere for a thing like this.

Some people are really big on the "not having to carry a wallet" kick, but I think the real problem there is a matter of what you carry - my wallet isn't much more than 1/4" thick - the choices aren't just "no wallet" or "Costanza wallet", there's a whole range in between. But I'd love to have a backup of my drivers license in my iPhone.
I mean, I get that, but if there are any circumstances that require a physical card or law enforcement wants my license, I'm not giving them my phone. Are there use cases in which I would have to give someone my phone or can they get what they need viewing my phone at arm's reach or otherwise scanning my card? I will never give anyone my phone, especially a cop.
 
Though the CO app offers proof of vaccination and some other goodies. Not to mention the ID in the CO app is completely different (basically a visual replica of your physical ID) than the NFC version in Wallet (a badass ram illustration). I'm keeping my CO app. 😉
Check with your state or your doctor, in CA your vaccination card is digital and in your Apple Wallet....where your license is 😉
 
I mean, I get that, but if there are any circumstances that require a physical card or law enforcement wants my license, I'm not giving them my phone. Are there use cases in which I would have to give someone my phone or can they get what they need viewing my phone at arm's reach or otherwise scanning my card? I will never give anyone my phone, especially a cop.
You should absolutely never hand your phone over to anyone (I mean, beyond a friend or relative, depending on how much you trust them). In at least some of the states, the laws are written so that law enforcement is not allowed to touch the phone. They get what they need by either NFC or QR code, or by simply reading the information off the screen while you hold the phone (think of it as a self-lit drivers license at that point, no need for a flashlight).

Eventually, we'll likely get to the point where they're accepted for proof of age for getting into clubs or buying alcohol, and it'll be the same deal. In all of those cases (cop / cashier / bouncer / etc), if they reach for your phone, the appropriate response is some situation-specific version of "do not touch!", and if they quibble, have them call their manager - don't hand the phone to any of them.

You'll find a contingent on this forum who keep spinning scenarios of cops who they insist will say, "oh, my scanner is broken, I need to take your phone back to my cruiser", and the answer is still, "no, sorry, you need to get your supervisor or another officer here with a working scanner out here, I will not surrender my phone to you" (if they persist, follow up with, "I need to get your badge number and name for the report I'll be filing").

In any case, the license displays in Apple Wallet without unlocking the phone itself, just like a credit card. Most of the what-if scenarios involve an officer carrying your unlocked phone back to their cruiser and poking around it in - even if they took your phone, that's not possible, unless they force you to unlock it first. At which point, they're clearly breaking the law. I mean, if you buy into that scenario, why not just have them shoot you, too - they have the gun right there.
 
This is going to be an unpopular opinion, but hear me out.

During a traffic stop, you pop your phone out to show the cop your license. They take the phone to their car computer and, while it’s unlocked, they connect to it and download your information. They find references to drugs. They arrest you.

Dystopian future or possible reality? Just playing Devil’s Advocate. I don’t think this would play out, but is it worth giving them the opportunity?

I probably won’t add my license to my phone.
Maybe it could be an unpopular opinion because it’s wrong? YOU DO NOT GIVE YOUR PHONE TO THEM.
 
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