Apple unveils digital driver’s licenses, state IDs in 8 states

CUPERTINO, Calif. — Apple announced Wednesday that iPhone and Apple Watch customers in eight states will be able to store a digital version of their driver’s licenses and state identification documents on their devices.

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Georgia and Arizona will be the first two states to adopt the feature on Apple Wallet. The tech giant said in a news release that Connecticut, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Oklahoma and Utah would soon follow suit.

It was unclear how soon the other six states would implement the feature, according to CNBC.

Apple Wallet is a platform where users can display and use digital documentation such as credit cards, concert tickets and boarding passes, The Wall Street Journal reported. In June, Apple said its latest operating system update included support for home keys and ID cards in Apple Wallet.

“The Transportation Security Administration will enable select airport security checkpoints and lanes in participating airports as the first locations customers can use their driver’s license or state ID in Wallet,” Apple said in its news release.

Once users scan the driver’s license and/or state ID, they will also be asked to complete facial and head movements as an additional security measure, CNBC reported.

After tapping their mobile ID at identity readers in airports, users must approve a note from TSA using Face ID or Touch ID, the network reported.

Jennifer Bailey, Apple’s vice president of Apple Pay and Apple Wallet, called the move “an important step.”

“The addition of driver’s licenses and state IDs to Apple Wallet is an important step in our vision of replacing the physical wallet with a secure and easy-to-use mobile wallet,” Bailey said in a news release. “We are excited that the TSA and so many states are already on board to help bring this to life for travelers across the country using only their iPhone and Apple Watch, and we are already in discussions with many more states as we’re working to offer this nationwide in the future.”

Apple said the company and the state that issues the driver’s licenses and state identifications will never be told where or when the digital IDs are produced, NBC News reported. The information is “only presented digitally through encrypted communication directly between the device and the identity reader, so users do not need to unlock, show or hand over their device,” Apple said.

“We’re pleased to be one of the first states working with Apple to deploy driver’s licenses and state identification cards in Apple Wallet, and we’re looking forward to taking the next steps to make sure this new feature benefits our residents,” Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont said in a statement.

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