Apple will now let you keep a digital version of your driver’s license in your Apple Wallet. Here are the first 8 U.S. states that already signed up
Apple announces today that the first eight states that have signed up to let their citizens keep a digital version of their driver’s license on their iPhone Wall after a software update this fall. The eight states include Arizona, Connecticut, Georgia, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Oklahoma, and Utah. According to Apple, Arizona and Georgia will be the first states to introduce this new innovation to their residents, with Connecticut, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Oklahoma, and Utah to follow.
The news comes just months after Apple first made the announcement at its Worldwide Developers Conference in June that it was working on the feature with the Transportation Security Administration. In a statement today, Apple said that “it is working with several states across the country, which will roll out the ability for their residents to seamlessly and securely add their driver’s license or state ID to Wallet on their iPhone and Apple Watch.”
“The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will enable select airport security checkpoints and lanes in participating airports as the first locations customers can use their driver’s license or state ID in Wallet. Built with privacy at the forefront, Wallet provides a more secure and convenient way for customers to present their driver’s licenses and state IDs on iPhone or Apple Watch.”
The update is an important step in Apple’s effort to replace physical wallets. The new Apple Wallet will also offer more convenience to travelers looking for a touchless airport experience, the company said in a statement.
“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.”