Illinois Launches Digital Driver’s Licenses for Mobile Devices
Starting on March 6, 2024, residents of Illinois will have the option to store their driver’s licenses and identification cards on their mobile devices. This announcement was made by Alexi Giannoulias, the Illinois Secretary of State, during a press conference in the West Loop. Initially, digital IDs will be available exclusively for users of iPhones and Apple Watches through the Apple Wallet app, with plans to expand to Android devices via Google Wallet and Samsung Wallet in the near future.
The implementation of digital IDs will enhance convenience for many users. According to Giannoulias, over 250 businesses and organizations across the country, including agents from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) at Chicago airports, will be equipped to accept and verify these digital forms of identification. “This is modernization that makes sense: innovation that protects your privacy, saves time and makes your life easier,” Giannoulias stated, highlighting the benefits of the new technology.
While the digital IDs offer a modern solution for identification, residents are still required to carry physical IDs when driving. Law enforcement officials are not obligated to accept digital IDs, which means that having a physical form of identification remains essential.
Residents who own Apple devices can begin adding their Illinois state IDs starting at 07:00 on the launch day. The process involves tapping the “plus” button in the Apple Wallet app, taking a photograph of their physical ID, capturing a selfie, and scanning their head movements using the device’s camera. The state will verify the submitted information before issuing digital IDs.
The anticipated rollout of this technology to Android platforms within the next few months aims to streamline the verification process. Businesses will have the capability to scan these digital IDs without needing to view all personal information. As Giannoulias noted, “If a bar or concert venue needs to confirm you’re over 21, that’s all they see. That’s a significant advancement for privacy in the digital age.”
Under current regulations, while digital IDs can serve as valid identification, businesses are not required to accept them. Additionally, presenting a phone with a digital ID to law enforcement does not grant officers permission to search the device.
Illinois joins a growing trend, as twelve other states and Puerto Rico have also introduced digital IDs. This initiative reflects a broader movement toward digitization in public services, aiming to enhance security, privacy, and convenience for citizens.
