Idaho lawmakers are considering new legislation that would enable the state to develop and implement optional electronic driver’s licenses (eDLs), joining a growing national movement toward digital identification that has gained significant momentum in recent years. The initiative would allow residents to carry their driver’s license information digitally on mobile devices, similar to successful implementations in states like Virginia and West Virginia.
The bill, introduced on January 28, 2025, in the Idaho House Transportation and Defense Committee, would make digital driver’s licenses optional while maintaining the requirement for physical licenses. The committee voted 10-6 to introduce the bill, advancing it for further legislative consideration.
Under the proposed legislation, the Idaho Transportation Department would be responsible for developing and implementing a secure system for issuing and managing electronic driver’s licenses. The system would need to comply with the International Organization for Standardization’s ISO/IEC 18013 standard for mobile driver’s licenses, which was recently expanded to enable remote identity verification.
If implemented, Idaho would join 14 other states whose digital driver’s licenses are accepted by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) at checkpoints nationwide. The expansion follows the TSA’s broader initiative to modernize identity verification at airports, with several states having successfully integrated their digital ID systems with TSA checkpoints in 2024.
The bill has sparked debate among legislators regarding security considerations. “I question whether we really need digital IDs given the potential risks,” said Representative Kyle Harris, R-Lewiston, citing concerns about potential data breaches and hacking risks. These security concerns reflect broader discussions across states implementing similar programs, though technical standards and encryption protocols have evolved significantly to address such risks.
Following its introduction, the bill will be posted on the Idaho Legislature’s website and assigned a bill number after being read on the floor of the Idaho House of Representatives. It will then return to committee for a full public hearing.
Recent survey data from iProov indicates strong public interest in digital driver’s license services, with many citizens expecting government agencies to provide secure digital identification options. The implementation would require development of secure systems to protect digital license information and ensure privacy, including protocols for verification and authentication of electronic credentials.
The move represents part of a broader trend of U.S. states adopting mobile driver’s license technology, with several states planning major rollouts for 2025. The momentum has been further accelerated by recent federal initiatives, including President Biden’s executive order on cybersecurity and digital ID modernization, which aims to strengthen national standards for digital identification systems.
Sources: The Spokesman-Review, Idaho Tech Wire, FindBiometrics, Biometric Update, Ground News
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