TSA Preparing to Begin Accepting Mobile Driver's Licenses in February 2022

[MacRumors]

Starting in early 2022, residents of select U.S. states will be able to add their driver's license or state ID to the Wallet app on the iPhone and Apple Watch, providing a convenient and contactless way to display proof of identity or age.

According to a Security Technology Alliance blog post shared by 9to5Mac, the TSA plans to begin accepting mobile driver's licenses at airports in two U.S. states starting in February 2022, followed by an additional two states around March. The TSA did not specify which states or airports will be part of this initial rollout, and it's unclear if Wallet app integration will be ready in time or if digital IDs will be limited to states' own apps at first.

In September, Apple revealed the first states that would let residents add their driver's license or state ID to the Wallet app as including Arizona and Georgia, with Connecticut, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Oklahoma, and Utah to follow. Florida is also reportedly aiming to support the feature, while the Security Technology Alliance said several other states like Virginia and Louisiana have piloted mobile driver's license usage.

Residents of participating states will be able to tap the plus sign at the top of the Wallet app to begin adding a driver's license or state ID to the app, and then simply tap their iPhone or Apple Watch on an identity reader to present their ID at select TSA security checkpoints, without taking out their physical card or handing over their device.

Only after authorizing with Face ID or Touch ID is the requested identity information released from a user's device, and they do not need to unlock, show, or hand over their device to a TSA security officer to present their ID, according to Apple.

When adding an ID to the Wallet app, Apple said users will be required to take a photo of their face, which will be securely provided to the issuing state for verification. As an additional security measure, Apple said users will be prompted to complete a series of facial and head movements during the setup process.

Apple has not provided a specific release date for the feature beyond the early 2022 timeframe, and it is not enabled in the first iOS 15.3 or watchOS 8.4 betas. The feature was supposed to launch this year, but it was delayed.

Article Link: TSA Preparing to Begin Accepting Mobile Driver's Licenses in February 2022

 

[I7guy]

C'mon New York and New Jersey. Let's get aboard!

 

[kycophpd]

Keep in mind, if there is a return flight from a state that does not offer this, you still need a physical license. This will take years to implement, but even then is it really worth it? You still need a physical ID for so many other things.

 

[BurgDog]

Seems to be of very limited use as will only be accepted by TSA checkpoints that have the reader. No other locations that need ID will accept it. I'll be interested when local bars have the reader. Until readers are wide spread, still need the physical ID. My Colorado app ID is legally valid for many more places but I still need my physical card as places are not required, just permitted, to accept it.

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

Let’s get Las Vegas on board. It would make it so much easier to get into the casinos and night clubs

 

[sudo-sandwich]

Does this mean you won't need to get a RealID?

 

[mnsportsgeek]

Seems to be of very limited use as will only be accepted by TSA checkpoints that have the reader. No other locations that need ID will accept it. I'll be interested when local bars have the reader. Until readers are wide spread, still need the physical ID. My Colorado app ID is legally valid for many more places but I still need my physical card as places are not required, just permitted, to accept it.

Keep in mind, if there is a return flight from a state that does not offer this, you still need a physical license. This will take years to implement, but even then is it really worth it? You still need a physical ID for so many other things.

It took Apple Pay like 5-7 years to be widely accepted and even today there is still room for improvement. Nobody expects this to transform the industry overnight, but it’s a start. Same with the car key.

 

[WestonHarvey1]

Does this mean you won't need to get a RealID?

Considering all the extra documentation I have to provide to get one, I don't see how this would let you just skip out on that with a regular license. I imagine they'll have some metadata in there, RealID=true, showing a star on the screen or whatever. This doesn't cut your DMV out of the loop.

 

[PolarGG]

Does this mean you won't need to get a RealID?

I thought it uses RealID so - probably.

 

[kycophpd]

It took Apple Pay like 5-7 years to be widely accepted and even today there is still room for improvement. Nobody expects this to transform the industry overnight, but it’s a start. Same with the car key.

I don’t feel this will transform anything compared to ApplePay. Especially at airports. This will actually slow things down potentially. Instead of having your digital boarding pass up and ready, you would have to have the digital ID up, then switch apps to your digital boarding pass. While I love the idea behind it, I just don’t see implementation being an improvement.

 

[IIGS User]

Keep in mind, if there is a return flight from a state that does not offer this, you still need a physical license.

What are you talking about?

If I have a compliant ID issued from a state that participates in the program (say, Maryland for example's sake) I can fly to, and from any airport in the US on that ID. I could use my compliant mobile ID from Maryland to board a flight in Philadelphia, fly to LA, and then back to Philadelphia on that Maryland ID. Or from LA to BWI on the same ID.

The TSA's systems aren't reliant on the state they are located in. They're connected through the federal government's network that includes passport, TWIC, and Pre Check systems. Those systems interface with the individual states through the federal system to electronically verify the authenticity of the identification presented.

This has nothing to do with what state your flight originates in...

 

[4jasontv]

I miss being able to fly anonymously. When I was a kid all you needed was a ticket. They didn’t even have a gate around the runway so you could have someone drive you right up to the plane. You only needed ID for international flights.

Privacy >> safety.

 

[mnsportsgeek]

I don’t feel this will transform anything compared to ApplePay. Especially at airports. This will actually slow things down potentially. Instead of having your digital boarding pass up and ready, you would have to have the digital ID up, then switch apps to your digital boarding pass. While I love the idea behind it, I just don’t see implementation being an improvement.

It’s all in the wallet app though. It’d be like 2 gestures to switch between 2 cards.

For me, the end goal is getting rid of a wallet and keys. Maybe we’re 10 years away. Maybe we’re 20 years away, but that’s the goal.

 

[wigby]

I don’t feel this will transform anything compared to ApplePay. Especially at airports. This will actually slow things down potentially. Instead of having your digital boarding pass up and ready, you would have to have the digital ID up, then switch apps to your digital boarding pass. While I love the idea behind it, I just don’t see implementation being an improvement.

I don't know about that. I've spent more time waiting in line while others (and myself) try to straighten out the paper ticket than any on-screen QR code to be scanned. You're also assuming that the digital ID and digital boarding pass cannot be integrated into the same screen or scannable code.

 

[jicon]

Given I usually need a passport to travel anywhere, and am old enough not to be carded, the only time this becomes useful is possibly car rental, or not needing my physical card to drive.... but I really like that idea. One less significant thing in my pocket.

 

[Jason111001]

Keep in mind, if there is a return flight from a state that does not offer this, you still need a physical license. This will take years to implement, but even then is it really worth it? You still need a physical ID for so many other things.

TSA is Federal. So.. if TSA accepts it in one airport, they accept it in all.

 

[ifxf]

I don’t feel this will transform anything compared to ApplePay. Especially at airports. This will actually slow things down potentially. Instead of having your digital boarding pass up and ready, you would have to have the digital ID up, then switch apps to your digital boarding pass. While I love the idea behind it, I just don’t see implementation being an improvement.

TSA is already trying out no longer needing to show a boarding pass at some airports

 

[Jason111001]

Seems to be of very limited use as will only be accepted by TSA checkpoints that have the reader. No other locations that need ID will accept it. I'll be interested when local bars have the reader. Until readers are wide spread, still need the physical ID. My Colorado app ID is legally valid for many more places but I still need my physical card as places are not required, just permitted, to accept it.

It was cool that CO was ahead of the pack with this but I really didn't like the solution they used with the app ID. Instead of your ID being in Apple Wallet, you had to boot up a separate app that was prone to forget your login credentials.

 

[MacTiki]

Does this mean you won't need to get a RealID?

The REAL ID is not going away.

Evolving the REAL ID into a electronic version with the ability to report in real time your exact GPS coordinates will give it the teeth the powers that be are looking for as a means to more efficiently monitor its citizens aka subjects and more effectively control where people can and cannot go.

The REAL ID goes way beyond who can get on an airplane. It will take geofencing to a whole new level.

For me, the end goal is getting rid of a wallet and keys.

What seems a convenience now will soon likely be a requirement.

 

[michael31986]

C'mon New York and New Jersey. Let's get aboard!

Ugh. I hope they do it. Any talks of it being approved?

 

[coachgq]

Keep in mind, if there is a return flight from a state that does not offer this, you still need a physical license. This will take years to implement, but even then is it really worth it? You still need a physical ID for so many other things.

So just drop that requirement. If you make digital id acceptance a requirement then it will happen quickly.

 

[coachgq]

It was cool that CO was ahead of the pack with this but I really didn't like the solution they used with the app ID. Instead of your ID being in Apple Wallet, you had to boot up a separate app that was prone to forget your login credentials.

That sounds like a major pain. Just allow it to be in the phone wallet and keep it moving. Seems harder to develop your own app, but maybe I just don’t know enough.

 

[827538]

I don’t feel this will transform anything compared to ApplePay. Especially at airports. This will actually slow things down potentially. Instead of having your digital boarding pass up and ready, you would have to have the digital ID up, then switch apps to your digital boarding pass. While I love the idea behind it, I just don’t see implementation being an improvement.

You would have your drivers license and boarding pass in the wallet. How is that not easier to jump between?

I don't know how you organize things when you fly but I always have my boarding pass in my iPhone's wallet that's super easy to open, a drivers license would sit right alongside.

As soon as I can ditch my car keys I'll be down to only carrying my iPhone with me and I'll just avoid backwards stores like Walmart (which is a dump) that don't accept Apple Pay.

 

[I7guy]

Ugh. I hope they do it. Any talks of it being approved?

Think the answer is maybe:

Showing your driver’s license in N.J. could soon be as easy as pulling out a phone

A bill that would create mobile driver's licenses and non-driver ID cards in New Jersey took a first step Thursday.

www.nj.com

State Lawmaker Eyes Digital Driver’s License

Electronic driver’s licenses may be coming to New York state. Assemblywoman Michelle Solages, D-Valley Stream, has introduced A.8160 in the state Assembly to authorize the state Motor Vehicles commissioner to establish a pilot program evaluating the use of optional mobile or digital alternatives...

www.post-journal.com

 

[name99]

Keep in mind, if there is a return flight from a state that does not offer this, you still need a physical license. This will take years to implement, but even then is it really worth it? You still need a physical ID for so many other things.

Everything takes forever! More important is that this points to a future where businesses are willing to accept an electronic transfer of identity and data attached to this identity. The most interesting such use case is medical. Aren't you sick of how EVERY F&^KING TIME you interact with a new medical entity (even new Optometrist or Dentist) you have to fill out essentially the same forms manually, always giving the same data? Wouldn't you prefer a world where that was handled by just waving your phone at the dentist's reader to transfer your name, insurance info and medical details?

The road to that world (legal acceptance of such concepts) flows through the US government accepting such technology.