Utah among first states to allow digital driver’s licenses with Apple Wallet
Sep 1, 2021, 11:30 AM | Updated: 11:58 am
Utah already started a pilot program for its own form of mobile driver's licenses, but now Apple Wallet will soon be an option as well. (Utah Department of Public Safety)
(Utah Department of Public Safety)
SALT LAKE CITY — Apple announced Wednesday it’s working with the state of Utah on the rollout of driver’s licenses and state identification cards in its Wallet app.
Arizona and Georgia will be the first states to adopt this. Connecticut, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Oklahoma and Utah will follow soon after.
“The addition of driver’s licenses and state IDs to Apple Wallet is an important step in our vision of replacing the physical wallet with a secure and easy-to-use mobile wallet,” said Jennifer Bailey, Apple’s vice president of Apple Pay and Apple Wallet. “We are excited that the TSA and so many states are already on board to help bring this to life for travelers across the country using only their iPhone and Apple Watch, and we are already in discussions with many more states as we’re working to offer this nationwide in the future.”
No launch date has been set yet. According to Apple, the first place you’ll be able to use this form of digital ID is with the Transportation Security Administration at certain airports.
To add the ID into the Wallet, people with an iPhone must take a photo of their ID and of themself. Those are then sent to the state for verification.
To show the ID once it’s in the Wallet, the user must authorize it each time with Face ID or Touch ID. That can be done without unlocking the phone.
Jess Anderson, commissioner of the Utah Department of Public Safety, said he frequently hears from people who want an option for a mobile license. He said this will be more convenient than a physical copy, while still secure.
“Utah has always been a forward-looking state. We regularly hear from people who want to access their driver license through their phones,” Anderson said. “This is a great opportunity for Utah to work with Apple in an innovative use of technology. This secure mobile license adds convenience while helping keep Utah safe.”
Utah has already been working on its own version of digital IDs.
The state launched a pilot program earlier this year. Utah Community Credit Union and Harmon’s were some of the first businesses to sign on to accept those IDs.
That program uses an app separate from Apple Wallet.
