Iowa residents now have the option to add their driver’s licenses and state IDs to Apple Wallet on iPhones and Apple Watches, a feature implemented as of October 24, 2024. These mobile driver’s licenses (mDLs) are accepted at specific Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoints, including those at Des Moines and Eastern Iowa Airports. They can also be used in some business locations and within certain applications that require identity verification, such as Apple Stores across the United States.
The process for adding a digital ID to Apple Wallet is straightforward, involving the “+” button within the app and a step-by-step verification. Iowa businesses are equipped to validate mDLs using iOS applications like Tap2iD Mobile, VeriScan, and Mobile ID Verify, enabling age and identity verification for in-person transactions.
Beyond Apple Wallet, Iowa’s digital IDs are also available on Samsung Wallet and the Iowa Mobile ID app, offering residents multiple digital identification options.
This initiative aligns with a broader trend among states to provide digital IDs, joining locations like Arizona, Colorado, and California. It coincides with the TSA’s recent rule, which allows states to apply for waivers to continue using mDLs for airport security screening and federal building access after the REAL ID enforcement date on May 7, 2025. The REAL ID Act requires state-issued IDs to meet specific federal security standards for travel and federal facility entry.
The rule will be effective from November 25, 2024, enabling the integration of digital identification into current security protocols while ensuring compliance with REAL ID standards. Presently, TSA accepts mDLs from 11 states at 27 airports, with Credential Authentication Technology (CAT-2) readers verifying the digital IDs. Future plans involve expanding these capabilities to a broader range of airports.
Source: ID Tech
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October 28, 2024 – by the Mobile ID World Editorial Team
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