With Apple’s news that citizens can now link their driver’s licenses and state IDs to their Apple Wallet, excitement is in the air. This implies that people can easily and digitally present their state IDs and driver’s licenses using their smartphones or Apple Watches. A few jurisdictions have chosen to combine practical technology with everyday necessities to make life easier while the shift to digital identity is well underway. This innovation will allow citizens to save and present their driver’s licenses and identification documents at TSA checkpoints, specific establishments, and other locations that accept mobile documents, thanks to Apple’s wallet feature. Technology that uses Face Identification or Touch Identification makes authentication comparatively simple.
Important changes to driver’s licenses and state IDs will become effective in March
Driver’s licenses and digital IDs make it simple for citizens to prove their identity and age. Although they can be readily produced at locations where mobile IDs and driver’s licenses are requested and accepted, these digital IDs and licenses are not intended to replace the requirement for the physical versions. As soon as users can show their identification in person for services like CLEAR, MyChart, and Uber Eats, as well as for apps like Turo, the future appears brighter. Presenting a driver’s license or digital ID is a fairly easy process.
Citizens must press the “Continue with Apple Wallet” or “Verify with Apple Wallet” button. After pressing the button, users can confirm the requested information. Touch ID or Face ID is required before information is transferred. However, the security of digital IDs and driver’s licenses may raise questions. Although many people are concerned about their safety, IDs and driver’s licenses in Apple Wallet take advantage of the privacy and security measures that are integrated into Apple products to guarantee that user identities and private data are kept safe. When a user adds a driver’s license or ID to their smartphone, the data is encrypted.
This implies that a user must produce their ID or driver’s license before Apple can access it. Apple and the state don’t even know about things like the user’s presentation history. Additionally, a user’s driver’s license or digital ID is encrypted when they present it. Another safety aspect is that when using the digital ID and driver’s license, the user can examine and approve any information that is required. To further improve the safety feature, information permission requires either Face ID or Touch ID. Likewise, users only see the information required for the particular transaction when they show their IDs or driver’s license and must always check the requested information.
Which states will allow these digital IDs and driver’s licenses?
Regarding Apple’s wallet digital driver’s license and ID initiative, California is also joining. For the state of California, this is fantastic news. Several other states have also implemented the program, including:
- Arizona
- Colorado
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Iowa
- Maryland
- New Mexico
- Ohio
- Puerto Rico
Besides these states, others, such as Montana, Utah, West Virginia, Connecticut, Kentucky, Mississippi, and Oklahoma, are looking forward to allowing these digital IDs and driver’s licenses. As more states develop stronger infrastructure to support this digital revolution, it is anticipated that the use of digital IDs and driver’s licenses will increase significantly. A better, paperless future is what the entire project is aiming for. Although digital identification and driver’s licenses are still being adopted, Americans are encouraged to keep the required physical identification and driver’s licenses on hand. Digital copies of California state IDs and driver’s licenses are available for residents to access on their Apple phones and watches in states that have adopted digital IDs and driver’s licenses.
