Apple Wallet is scheduled to receive a cool feature that will allow users to store digital versions of their driver’s licenses and state IDs on select devices, bypassing the need for extra plastic in their physical wallets. Apple today announced the first states that have agreed to allow this modern way of presenting identification.
The first states that will allow residents to seamlessly and securely add their driver’s licenses or state IDs to Apple Wallet on their iPhone and/or Apple Watch devices are Arizona and Georgia. Those states will be followed by Connecticut, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Oklahoma, and Utah.
Apple iPhone and Apple Watch users who reside in these states will be able to add a state ID or driver’s license to Apple Wallet simply by scanning their physical ID card and taking a selfie, which is securely sent to the issuing state for verification.
The first locations where these can be flaunted are select airport security checkpoints and lanes in participating airports. According to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), the feature will bring a whole new level of convenience to travelers.
“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.”
“This new and innovative mobile driver’s license and state ID initiative with Apple and states around the country will enable a more seamless airport security screening experience for travelers,” said David Pekoske, TSA Administrator.
“This initiative marks a major milestone by TSA to provide an additional level of convenience for the traveler by enabling more opportunities for touchless TSA airport security screening.”
Driver’s licenses and state IDs in Wallet will provide an easy, fast, and more secure way for people to present their driver’s license or state ID using their iPhone or Apple Watch. Once a participating state begins offering this capability to its residents, customers will be able to add their driver’s license or state ID to Wallet and simply tap their iPhone or Apple Watch to present it to the TSA, without taking out their physical card or handing over their device.
Source: Apple