Drivers will be able to keep their plastic licenses and other identification documents, but if they can be stored on a phone, it should be a great way to alleviate the pressure on physical wallets and transition to a digital format. Many states are already adopting this method, and now it’s time for another Midwest heavyweight state to join the movement and make this process simpler for those who wish their licenses didn’t occupy space in their pockets. On the other hand, there’s still resistance from other, more traditional regions.
The digital era is here: A new way to show your ID
As digital wallets gain popularity, they have become key tools for governments aiming to centralize citizens’ personal information. By making documents more portable and personal data easier to store, apps like Apple Wallet, Google Wallet, and Samsung Wallet have quickly gained attention and earned a reputation as secure ways to manage sensitive information.
Lately, several North American states have started offering digital versions of the documents they issue. After seeing the initiative succeed, it gained traction across the country, prompting other states to adopt the same approach. Once fully implemented, citizens will only need their smartphones to access their essential documents.
Illinois joining the mix: Drivers will have time to adapt
Starting in 2025, some Illinois residents will be able to use digital versions of their driver’s licenses and state IDs. The Illinois Secretary of State’s office plans to roll out these mobile IDs in Apple Wallet by the end of the year, with the intention of supporting additional platforms, like Google Wallet for Android devices, in the future.
The mobile IDs allow residents to store their driver’s license or state ID on their phone or smartwatch. Officials say the system is designed to give users control over what information they share. For example, someone could show their ID to buy alcohol, rent a car, or purchase cannabis without revealing other personal details, such as their home address.
Illinois law also makes it clear that displaying a mobile ID does not give law enforcement permission to search the device. This approach addresses privacy concerns that a group like the ACLU had raised about potential phone searches. Illinois joins a growing list of states offering mobile IDs – twelve already have them, while at least eighteen more are working toward implementation.
The importance of adapting: State authority talks on the matter
The Secretary of State’s office frames this rollout as the first step in a larger plan to create a modern, secure, and convenient digital ID program for residents, using technology designed to protect personal data while simplifying everyday tasks.
With mobile IDs, residents can show their license when buying alcohol or renting a car without revealing unnecessary personal details, like their home address. Before any information is shared, the system lets users review what’s being requested and approve it using a face or fingerprint scan, giving them full control over their data.
List of states accepting the digital driver’s license
- Arizona: Apple Wallet, Google Wallet, Samsung Wallet
- California: California DMV Wallet App, Apple Wallet, Google Wallet
- Colorado: Apple Wallet, Google Wallet, Samsung Wallet
- Georgia: Apple Wallet, Google Wallet, Samsung Wallet
- Hawaii: Apple Wallet
- Iowa: Iowa Mobile ID App, Apple Wallet, Samsung Wallet
- Louisiana: LA Wallet
- Maryland: Apple Wallet, Google Wallet, Samsung Wallet
- New Mexico: Apple Wallet, Google Wallet, Samsung Wallet
- New York: NY MiD-App
- Ohio: Apple Wallet
- Puerto Rico: Apple Wallet
- Utah: GET Mobile App
- Virginia: Virginia Mobile ID App
- West Virginia: WV MiD-App
- Illinois: Apple ID, Google Wallet.
Other states are still considering if there’s a need to change the traditional way of showing their IDs – and Pennsylvania is one of them.