The adoption of mobile driver’s licenses continues to expand across the United States, with Maryland joining the roster of states implementing digital IDs in Apple Wallet. The initiative enables residents to store their driver’s licenses and state IDs on their iPhones and Apple Watches, marking Maryland as the second state to offer Apple Wallet ID support.
The Maryland Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Administration (MDOT MVA) is working with Apple to provide this functionality, which will initially be available at select Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoints. The implementation builds on groundwork laid in 2017 when Governor Larry Hogan launched a pilot program for statewide mobile driver’s licenses, followed by the Maryland General Assembly’s passage of House Bill 180 in 2019 authorizing electronic credentials. The state has since expanded its digital ID ecosystem, recently launching support for Samsung Wallet and becoming the first state to offer digital ID compatibility across both major mobile platforms.
North Carolina is preparing to launch its mobile driver’s license program, with digital licenses becoming available from July 1, 2025. The digital credentials will hold equal legal status to physical licenses and will be issued alongside traditional cards, following a similar implementation model to other states’ programs.
In Ohio, the Casino Control Commission has approved mobile driver’s licenses for identity verification at four state casinos. The state’s mobile ID system, compatible with Apple Wallet, has also been authorized for use at BGSU Athletics venues for concessions, showing the expanding use cases for digital identification beyond government applications.
According to data from identity verification firm IDScan.net, at least 15 U.S. states now maintain active mobile driver’s license programs, with eight states featuring interoperability across operating systems. The growth reflects a broader trend toward digital identification, with Apple Wallet’s digital ID support now available in ten U.S. jurisdictions.
Digital ID presentation will be limited to users employing biometric identification methods such as face or touch ID, says TSA spokesperson Lisa Farbstein. The agency is planning a phased implementation approach for mobile driver’s licenses at checkpoints, with several states including West Virginia already receiving TSA approval for nationwide use.
Cybersecurity experts have provided input on the technology’s implementation. “The technology continues to evolve,” says Markus Rauschecker, Cybersecurity Program Director with the University of Maryland Center for Health and Homeland Security. Attorney Arnold Abraham advises careful review of user agreements and suggests allowing time for initial technical issues to be resolved.
Apple has stated that all data will be encrypted, and neither the company nor states will track when or where users present their IDs. The privacy measures match industry standards for mobile identification, including the ISO 18013-5 specification for mobile driving licenses that many implementations now follow.
Sources: Mid Michigan Now, Bikernet Blog
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