Sacramento International Airport (SMF) has implemented California mobile driver’s licenses for identity verification at security checkpoints, marking a significant advancement in digital identification technology at U.S. airports. The system, which became operational on February 5, 2025, enables travelers to present their digital identification credentials through their mobile devices, joining a growing network of airports across the country that support mobile ID verification.
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has worked with SMF officials to ensure the new verification system meets federal security requirements and standards. The implementation is part of the TSA’s broader digital identity strategy, which has seen the agency actively expanding its support for mobile-based digital IDs through various pilot programs and initiatives across the United States.
The adoption of mobile driver’s license verification technology at SMF follows similar implementations at other major airports across the United States, including successful deployments in Cleveland Hopkins International Airport and facilities in Virginia and West Virginia. The digital transformation aims to reduce passenger wait times while maintaining robust security protocols. The system operates alongside traditional physical identification methods, offering travelers a choice in how they present their credentials while complying with REAL ID requirements.
The implementation uses ISO 18013-5 standards for mobile driver’s licenses, ensuring interoperability and security across different platforms and jurisdictions. The standardization is crucial for the nationwide adoption of mobile driver’s license technology and has been supported by the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators’ (AAMVA) Digital Trust Service, which provides a framework for secure mobile ID verification.
Sacramento International Airport’s implementation of mobile driver’s license verification technology comes during a period of significant growth for the facility, which recently reported record passenger numbers for 2024. The digital identification system represents part of the airport’s broader modernization initiatives to accommodate increasing passenger volumes while enhancing operational efficiency.
Sources: TSA Press Releases, Wikipedia, Travel Guys Radio
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