New York State has launched a mobile driver’s license program allowing residents to store their identification documents in digital format, with full implementation expected by 2025. The program, developed in partnership with IDEMIA, a leading provider of digital identity solutions, has already attracted more than 170,000 New York participants since its initial phase began in June 2024.
The mobile ID system lets users scan their physical documents and capture a selfie photo for verification. Users can present their digital IDs through a QR code system at various establishments, including bars, medical facilities, and financial institutions. The platform includes selective disclosure capabilities, allowing users to share only necessary information while protecting sensitive data – a feature that has become increasingly important in digital identity systems.
Rochester has been designated as an early adoption site for testing the digital ID verification systems before broader statewide implementation. The system will be compatible with Apple Wallet, joining ten other U.S. states and territories that currently support digital IDs through this platform, including Arizona, Georgia, Maryland, and Colorado.
“The power of safeguarding your most personal information is literally in your hands,” said Mark J.F. Schroeder, Commissioner of the New York Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). “Unlike your physical license, you do not have to hand your phone over to anyone in order for them to confirm your identity.”
The implementation meets ISO 18013-5 standards for mobile driver’s licenses and follows guidelines established by the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators. The system also meets the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s Digital Identity Guidelines for secure digital identity verification, ensuring robust security measures and interoperability across different platforms.
More than 20 airports currently accept the digital ID for passengers, including New York’s Kennedy and LaGuardia airports, as part of the Transportation Security Administration’s expanding digital ID program. Several additional states, including Montana, West Virginia, Connecticut, Kentucky, Mississippi, Oklahoma, and Utah, have announced plans to implement Apple Wallet integration for their digital ID programs, signaling a growing nationwide shift toward mobile identification solutions.
Sources: Newsday, Mobile ID World, Keesing Platform
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