Several U.S. states are advancing mobile driver’s license initiatives in 2025, joining a growing national movement toward digital identification that has already seen successful implementations in states like West Virginia and Utah. North Carolina, Maryland, and New York State are now leading new implementation efforts that meet federal standards and guidelines.
North Carolina’s Division of Motor Vehicles is preparing to introduce digital driver’s licenses by July 1, 2025. The implementation will follow the ISO/IEC 18013-5 standard for mobile driver’s licenses, marking a significant modernization of the state’s identification system. The initiative follows earlier discussions within the state’s DMV about digital license adoption.
Maryland has established itself among the early adopters, implementing mobile IDs and driver’s licenses in Apple Wallet. The Maryland Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Administration (MDOT MVA) is working with Apple and the Transportation Security Administration to ensure security compliance. The state has expanded its digital ID ecosystem with the launch of a mobile verification app for businesses to conduct age checks.
New York State plans to launch its mobile driver’s license program in 2025, with Rochester establishments serving as early adoption sites. The implementation will include standard identification elements delivered through secure applications meeting American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators (AAMVA) guidelines and ISO/IEC 18013-5 standards. The state has begun testing digital ID verification through a pilot program in Rochester bars.
“Maryland is proud to be a leader once again in safe innovation with the implementation of mobile driver’s licenses,” said Maryland Governor Larry Hogan. “As we look to the future, we are committed to enhancing convenience and accessibility while maintaining the highest safety and security standards for our state and citizens.”
At the federal level, the National Institute of Standards and Technology continues to develop Digital Identity Guidelines, providing recommendations for secure digital identity verification systems. The agency recently released updated guidelines that inform state-level implementations of digital license programs.
The AAMVA’s Digital Trust Service provides a standardized framework for interstate mobile driver’s license recognition and verification, facilitating interoperability between different states’ systems. The service has already seen adoption by several states, including Virginia, Maryland, and Utah.
“You walk up to the checkpoint. You show them your boarding pass which is already probably on your phone also, then tap your phone to the TSA terminal,” said Markus Rauschecker, Cybersecurity Program Director at the University of Maryland Center for Health and Homeland Security. “What’s going to happen then is that little message will pop up on your phone. It will say the TSA wants to know some things about you.”
Sources: ID Tech Wire, Mid Michigan Now, Mobile ID World
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