Several U.S. states are advancing initiatives to implement mobile driver’s licenses and digital IDs, with major rollouts planned for 2025. The developments mark a significant expansion of digital identity verification systems in the United States, where ten jurisdictions already support digital IDs through platforms like Apple Wallet.
North Carolina’s legislature has mandated the implementation of digital driver’s licenses through House Bill 199, requiring the Division of Motor Vehicles to develop and launch a comprehensive digital license system by July 1, 2025. The state’s digital licenses will meet security requirements specified in the ISO/IEC 18013-5 standard, featuring encryption, biometric verification, and secure mobile technology. The initiative follows a previous exploration of mobile driver’s license technology by the North Carolina DMV.
Maryland has positioned itself among the early adopters of mobile driver’s licenses and IDs in Apple Wallet. The Maryland Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Administration is collaborating with Apple and the Transportation Security Administration to enable digital ID usage at select TSA checkpoints. As the second state to implement Apple Wallet support, Maryland has demonstrated its commitment to innovation. “Maryland is proud to be a leader once again in safe innovation with the implementation of mobile driver’s licenses,” said Governor Larry Hogan.
New York State is preparing to launch its mobile driver’s license program in 2025, with Rochester designated as an early adoption site for digital ID verification systems. The state’s implementation will follow guidelines established by the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators and meet ISO/IEC 18013-5 standards for mobile ID security and interoperability. The rollout follows successful implementations in other states, including West Virginia’s TSA-approved mobile driver’s license program.
The state-level initiatives are developing within the framework of federal guidelines, including the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s Digital Identity Guidelines. NIST’s recently updated guidelines provide comprehensive recommendations for secure digital identity verification systems, particularly regarding security and privacy requirements. The guidelines continue to inform state-level implementations while ensuring consistency with federal standards for identity verification and authentication.
Sources: ID Tech Wire, Mid Michigan Now, Mobile ID World
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