You'll Be Able to Add Your Driver's License to Your iPhone in Select States Starting With iOS 15

[Apple_Robert]

I didn’t realize it was a bad idea until I upgraded my truck and realized my glovebox don’t lock. I now keep a scanned copy of my Vehicle Registration and DL in my phone. GEICO already have a digital copy of your insurance that you can use.

Your insurance status is also in the state database that the police check.

I suggest you password protect those photos. That way if your phone were to be accessed by someone you trusted at the time or somehow a stranger, said information is not readily available. My suggestion may seem overkill to many here but, I believe it protecting yourself as best you can.

 

[Momof2.1107]

Your insurance status is also in the state database that the police check.

I suggest you password protect those photos. That way if your phone were to be accessed by someone you trusted at the time or somehow a stranger, said information is not readily available. My suggestion may seem overkill to many here but, I believe it protecting yourself as best you can.

They’re uploaded on OneDrive which I have password protected. I don’t think it’s overkill. A lot of people can’t be trusted so I 100% agree with you.

 

[markgpearse]

This is convenient, but I see privacy issues coming up for this...

i.e. we have to present ID to the police, but as of now, they cannot force us to give phone password. So what do you do?

Couldn’t it work like airline boarding passes that come up even when the screen is locked?

 

[Tagbert]

Of course they announce this right after my state released a mobile license app.
I have a feeling that Arizona will just go, “we have our own app” and not bother .

Just like boarding passes, the license app could use the wallet to display your license. If you have an airline app, they will send your boarding passes to the wallet and then it appears in the cards there.

 

[Tagbert]

I would suggest not putting it into your phone. You're absolutely right that unlocking your phone for a cop is a bad move, especially if you're the sort of person with a bit more melanin in your skin.

Also, like you said, they can't force you to give up your phone password, which is why it's a good idea to shut down your phone the moment a cop pulls you over - that way FaceID can't be used, which they ARE legally allowed to force you to do (when last I read, anyway).

This most likely works like Apple Pay. You don't unlock your phone to bring up Apple Pay. You authenticate the "transaction" to open your wallet but your phone remains locked.

 

[Scoob Redux]

Where did you get the idea that just showing them the ID on your phone without handing it over gives them consent to search? They would still need a warrant or probable cause to search the phone.

Looking at the phone IS a search! It is preliminary, but can expand depending on what they see. That's why you also shouldn't let law enforcement into your home. They will look at everything they can see, and if they see something that gives them probable cause, they can then extend the search. It's just good basic practice to limit access when dealing with law enforcement.

 

[Luke MacWalker]

I see, thanks. Hmm. Apple should make a quick way to disable FaceID/TouchID.

There is: long press the power button and one volume button to make your iPhone ask for your code/password instead for the next unlock.

 

[IIGS User]

Is this whole thing just a scam to allow cops to look in your phone?

"Crap... we're not allowed to look in people's phones during traffic stops... because of privacy or whatever..."

"I got it... we'll have people put all their important documents in their phone... so they'll HAVE to let us look in it!"

"Amazing! You're getting a promotion!"

Yeah, absolutely! You caught the whole lot of them In flagrante delicto!

See, the police had this awesome cool notion to convince the CEO of Apple to conspire with them, along with the legal team at Apple corporate, the DMV, and iOS programmers to concoct this awesome secret scam to see what's in people's phones on car stops.

It'll be awesome! With no judicial oversight, and no one watching WWDC 2021 the whole thing will fly under the radar. Not a single unsuspecting soul will realize they're engaged in this clever ruse to get a look at what's on your phone at the same time they're writing you a speeding ticket. Even AFTER we advertise it as an optional feature, it'll be a great way to get some random texts and phone call logs that mean nothing to no one out of context, and maybe we will catch someone in this broad clandestine drag net with something as shocking as pet pictures on their phone. SHOCKING!

None of us are that interesting, and beat cops aren't that diligent. Especially these days.

If Apple was inclined to crawl into bed with traffic cops in public, they sure as heck would have done a better job of it.

Trust the fruit company. I'm sure someone there all ready worked it out so that if you do hand your phone over to an authority figure, your information is secure. The bad PR for Apple would be too much...

 

[dwaltwhit]

I’m sure Apple hasn’t thought at all about how to lock your phone when the cops have it. /S

 

[dontwalkhand]

You guys are all so paranoid. My state had digital IDs for a while now and I got pulled over quite a few times because I’m such a “good driver”….all the officer does is write down the DL# and takes that back to the car. They even said they’re not allowed to touch the phone.

I’ve used this digital ID everywhere except the airport, for that I use my passport card. I used it for alcohol, I’ve used it for video games, baseball games, the dispensary and so on. No issues whatsoever. I’m excited for the Apple digital ID, so I can use that at the airport.

 

[DesertNomad]

Umm.. no. This seems like a bad idea all around and is one step closer to a surveillance state.

 

[TropN]

All these concerns about handing your phone to the police when pulled over? Keep the physical ID card in the glovebox of your car along with your proof of insurance and registration. For all other cases, you can use your digital ID wherever you go.

 

[russell_314]

Every time I add my credit card to the wallet, it gets compromised. No way I am putting my ID on it.

I wouldn't mind putting my AAA or other organization membership cards on there.

You’re doing something wrong or it’s coincidence. There’s no way your card is being compromised due to just being in wallet for Apple Pay. I have all my cards in Apple Pay and never had an issue.

 

[russell_314]

Umm.. no. This seems like a bad idea all around and is one step closer to a surveillance state.

You’re a little late to that party. It’s already here and adding an ID card to your phone isn’t going to effect that. There’s no extra tracking with the ID being in your phone.

 

[goodoldeej]

I see, thanks. Hmm. Apple should make a quick way to disable FaceID/TouchID.

Click your lock button 5 times.

 

[goodoldeej]

Click your lock button 5 times.

Or better yet (no sos mode), hold down the lock button and volume button to bring up the power off screen. Boom passcode required.

 

[cmaier]

Yeah cops will love that, hand me your unlocked phone so I can see your license please

Double-tap the side button when no NFC is around and it shows drivers license, would be one solution. But I would always carry my actual license just in case. Using phone would be a convenience at TSA, but I’d never voluntarily hand my phone to the police, locked or not.

 

[subi257]

keep a hard copy of your license in your car, i already keep a hard copy of a debit card and my insurance in there, locked up safe.

Not a chance....that's just my opinion. If the car gets stolen then the thieves not have a copy of my driver's license. I think that my car already has a big enough bullseye on it for thieves and for cops to target, as it is a red Subaru STI...not driven like and idiot, but still "profiled"

 

[subi257]

“The presentation of digital information from a mobile or digital driver’s license or identification card to an official of a Federal agency for an official purpose may not be construed to grant consent for such Federal agency to seize the electronic device on which the license or card is stored or to examine any other information contained on such device"


Also there are ways to keep your phone locked while just showing the ID

Just not worth it.

 

[subi257]

Paying with Apple Pay can be done without unlocking your entire phone, so I assume it’s going to be similar. Only the ID will be unlocked.

I don't pay with Apple Pay with my iPhone, I use my watch

 

[DeepIn2U]

This is convenient, but I see privacy issues coming up for this...

i.e. we have to present ID to the police, but as of now, they cannot force us to give phone password. So what do you do?

You don't have to present your password or facial recognition or touch ID.
Double-Tap the sleep/wake button slide to the Wallet entry (the Drivers license) - boom done.

 

[MacClueless]

Be prepared to give your phone and phone access to law enforcement....

You should be prepared for that anyway.

 

[Tagbert]

Be prepared to give your phone and phone access to law enforcement....

It's not clear that your phone needs to be unlocked for this. it might be closer to what is done for Apple Pay.

 

[Apple_Robert]

You should be prepared for that anyway.

Not without a warrant stipulating the reasons for probable cause and what specific data said officials are looking for.