The Maryland Department of Transportation’s Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) has introduced a new mobile application called “Mobile ID Check by MD” that enables businesses to accept mobile driver’s licenses and identification cards for in-person age verification without requiring additional hardware.
The free application, now available on both Apple App Store and Google Play, has already been implemented at Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) through partnerships with several stakeholders including the Anne Arundel County Liquor Board, Fraport USA, and HMSHost. Select airport establishments, including Flying Dog Tap House, Firkin & Flyer, Obrycki’s, R&R Seafood Bar, La Cocina Mexicana, and Brix & Vine, are now accepting mobile IDs for age verification.
BWI Marshall Airport Executive Director/CEO Ricky Smith stated, “We’re excited to partner with the MVA and our restaurant partners to offer travelers a convenient, efficient way to verify age when purchasing alcohol.”
The application adheres to ISO18013-5 international standards for mobile driver’s licenses and is designed to display only necessary verification information, such as the customer’s age and ID photo. Maryland residents can store their Mobile ID in Apple Wallet, Google Wallet, or Samsung Wallet, though the MVA recommends maintaining physical identification documents as well. This aligns with broader industry trends, as Gartner predicts that by 2026, at least 500 million smartphone users will regularly use digital identity wallets for verifiable credentials.
Motor Vehicle Administrator Chrissy Nizer explained, “The MVA continues to be a leader in developing and implementing mobile driver’s licenses. By increasing locations where mDLs can be accepted, we’re encouraging more Marylanders to take advantage of the convenience, security, and privacy that mobile driver’s licenses offer.”
The MVA is working to expand mobile ID acceptance through collaboration with the National Cybersecurity Center of Excellence and 15 technology providers and industry experts, including the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators, Microsoft, the Department of Homeland Security, and US Bank. These partnerships aim to develop additional applications in online transactions, financial services, and healthcare.
Maryland Mobile ID is currently accepted at select Transportation Security Administration checkpoints, including BWI and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. The system is compatible with mobile IDs issued by Maryland and other participating states, representing a significant step forward in the growing adoption of digital identification solutions across the United States.
This initiative comes at a time when various jurisdictions are exploring digital ID implementations, though with varying degrees of success. While some regions like Maryland are making significant progress, others, such as Ontario, have faced challenges and delays in their digital ID rollouts, highlighting the importance of careful implementation and stakeholder buy-in.
Sources: NottinghamMD, The MoCo Show, Southern Maryland Chronicle, MVA Newsroom, Maryland Mobile ID Program
Follow Us