New York Introduces Mobile Driver's Licenses

New York has become the latest state to adopt mobile driver's license technology, developed by IDEMIA. This innovative solution enables residents to download a mobile ID app from the Apple App Store or Google Play, set up a virtual driver's license or state ID, and present it as their official ID at TSA checkpoints across 29 airports in the US.

The mobile ID system prioritizes security and privacy, adhering to the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standard for mobile driver's licenses (ISO 18013-5). It features a selfie-based identity verification process, which uses facial recognition to match the user's images. This process ensures that the user's physical driver's license or state ID is authentic.

In addition to enhanced security, the mobile ID offers better privacy protections than traditional IDs. When using the mDL at TSA checkpoints, users don't need to present a physical ID displaying personal information such as home address and date of birth. Instead, they simply authenticate on their smartphone using a face or fingerprint scan, or by entering a PIN, and the device wirelessly validates their ID.

According to DMV Commissioner Mark J.F. Schroeder,"

Q: What is a mobile driver's license?

A: A mobile driver's license is a digital version of a physical driver's license or state ID, stored on a user's smartphone and used for identification purposes.

Q: How does the mobile ID system ensure security and privacy?

A: The mobile ID system adheres to the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standard for mobile driver's licenses (ISO 18013-5) and features a selfie-based identity verification process using facial recognition, as well as face or fingerprint scan authentication.

Q: What are the benefits of using a mobile ID?

A: The mobile ID offers enhanced security and privacy protections, as well as convenience, by enabling users to present their official ID digitally and control what personal data they share.

Q: How does the app ensure that mDLs stay up to date?

A: The app empowers the DMV to push on-demand updates to mobile credentials, ensuring that mDLs stay up to date, and issuing real-time alerts in the event that an ID is revoked or cancelled.

Q: What is IDEMIA's role in the mobile ID system?

A: IDEMIA is the developer of the mobile driver's license technology, providing a trusted solution for secure identification and authentication.