West Virginia has announced the beta launch of a digital driver’s license mobile app that enables residents to access their driver’s licenses and state-issued IDs on their smartphones, joining a growing number of U.S. states embracing mobile identity technology. The state has adopted mobile digital identity credentials that meet the ISO/IEC 18013-5:2021 standard, which establishes international specifications for secure mobile identification.
The West Virginia mID app, developed in partnership with Idemia Public Security, will be available as a free download on both the Apple App Store and Google Play. The digital credentials can be used for various purposes, including TSA PreCheck airport security screening and age verification. The pilot follows successful implementations in other states, including Iowa and Georgia, where similar IDEMIA-powered solutions have been deployed.
The system uses QR codes generated on demand, which vendors can scan with their devices to read credential information over an encrypted Bluetooth channel. When verifiers check a Mobile ID, an encrypted key signature confirms that the credential was issued by the West Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles. The security architecture follows current standards for digital identity verification and helps prevent fraud.
To support adoption, the DMV is providing both free and paid versions of the verifier app for businesses, along with complimentary marketing materials to promote Mobile ID acceptance. The state plans to expand its mobile ID credentials to major brands’ digital wallets and is working to enhance mobile driver’s license adoption through partnerships with the TSA, state police, and technology companies. The expansion follows a broader national trend, with nine states now offering digital driver’s licenses through various wallet platforms.
“The Mobile ID is as equally beneficial to users as it is to the businesses that accept it,” said DMV Commissioner Mark J.F. Schroeder. “It offers businesses a huge leg up in the fight against identity theft, and gives those verifying a patron’s age greater reassurance that they are not accepting a fake ID, which could result in unknowingly serving someone underage.”
Scott Wexler, Executive Director of the Empire State Restaurant and Tavern Association, noted that adopting tools like Mobile ID for age verification can enhance operational efficiency and safety for establishments. The implementation comes as more states recognize the value of digital IDs for both government services and private sector applications.
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