Utah’s mobile driver license expands to 2 state liquor stores
Nov 2, 2021, 6:26 PM | Updated: 6:47 pm
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)
As part of the state’s pilot program, Utahns will be able to use their new mobile driver license to buy alcohol at a couple of state liquor stores this week.
A valid Utah license is required to get set up with the new electronic store at the Saratoga Springs state liquor store on Wednesday from 4 to 7 p.m. and the state’s Farmington store on Thursday 4 to 7 p.m.
Utah is the first state in the U.S. to try a mobile driver’s license as a legal form of ID. While the electronic state-issued IDs have already been used by select retailers, the two liquor stores mark the first time a state agency has accepted them.
It allows for contactless authentication.
The set up times and locations are:
Wed. Nov. 3, 4 to 7 p.m.
State Liquor Store
1285 N., Exchange Drive
Saratoga Springs, Ut.
Thur. Nov. 4, 4 to 7 p.m.
State Liquor Store
579 Lagoon Drive
Farmington, Ut.
The Department of Alcohol and Beverage Control plans to expand to additional locations by the end of the month as part of the program.
The plan is for an expansion to at least 10 stores by the end of 2021.
With digital licenses, the cryptographic proof of ID allows employees to confirm the information has not been tampered with an eliminates visual inspecting an ID that the state said is subjective and leaves room for errors or oversight of security features.
“The citizen then has complete control of the data they choose to share – limiting it to what is necessary to complete the transaction rather than sharing full personal information,” the Department of Public Safety said in a press release.
“Mobile IDs are safe, secure, prevent fraud, and are easy-to-use. State liquor store customers who choose to use mobile IDs will experience a safe and quicker transaction time when making their purchases.” Tiffany Clason, DABC director said.
Liquor store employees will use the GET Mobile Verify system to authenticate a customer without any contact with the customer’s phone or identification.
