New Mexico has become the ninth U.S. state to implement digital driver’s licenses and state IDs, offering support for both Apple Wallet and Google Wallet platforms. The state joins Maryland, Arizona, Colorado, Georgia, Hawaii, California, Ohio, and Iowa in adopting Apple’s Digital ID initiative, which has been steadily expanding since its initial launch in 2021.
The New Mexico Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) has announced that residents can now add their driver’s licenses and state IDs directly to their mobile wallet apps. These digital credentials can be used at select Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoints nationwide, as well as at certain businesses and venues for age verification purposes. This implementation follows the TSA’s recent approval of mobile driver’s licenses for REAL ID compliance.
In conjunction with the New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department, the state has developed a dedicated application called NM Verifier for digital ID verification. The implementation adheres to the ISO/IEC mobile driver’s license (mDL) standard, which forms the foundation for Apple’s Digital ID system and ensures interoperability across different platforms and jurisdictions.
New Mexico Taxation and Revenue Secretary Stephanie Schardin Clarke noted, “Having a cell phone and mobile device with you at virtually all times is simply a fact of life these days. This new capability adds one more level of convenience for us all.”
To use the feature, residents can add their credentials to Apple Wallet by tapping the “+” button and following the verification process. Google Wallet users must provide photographs of both sides of their physical ID and complete a facial verification video. These security measures align with the enhanced verification protocols being implemented across various states to prevent fraud and ensure the authenticity of digital credentials.
While digital IDs currently do not replace physical credentials for law enforcement interactions, the state has indicated that TSA checkpoints at the Albuquerque Sunport and Lea County Regional Airport near Hobbs will soon begin accepting digital identification. This rollout is part of the broader federal initiative mandating mDL acceptance at airports nationwide.
Additional states, including Connecticut, Kentucky, Oklahoma, Utah, Montana, and West Virginia, are currently working to implement similar digital ID capabilities. West Virginia has already completed successful field testing of its mDL program in collaboration with the TSA.
Sources: iDrop News, Geeky Gadgets, MacRumors, How-To Geek
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