The state’s mobile driver’s license system was developed by IDEMIA in partnership with the Mississippi Department of Safety (DPS), and launched last year. Residents who are interested in the MDL can sign up when they receive their physical driver’s licenses, essentially enabling the creation of a virtual duplicate of their physical ID.

Digital identity verification has wide-ranging implications that can improve quality of life, maintain a high level of security and privacy, and improve access to public and private sector resources for high-need communities.

Illinois is looking into the idea of going digital because of House Bill 0260, which requires the Illinois Secretary of State’s Office to conduct a study on the feasibility of implementing digital license plates and driver’s licenses.

Mississippi’s mobile driver’s license program faces its first real statewide test next month, as residents will be allowed to use their smartphones as their identification when they vote.

Hawaii is one of many states that could soon accept driver’s licenses on mobile devices. A spokesperson for the city and county of Honolulu says they are looking for ways to modernize the city and the potential for mobile IDs and touch-less technology is limitless.

Both Customs and Border Protection and the Transportation Security Administration continue to expand the use of facial recognition technology to verify traveler identity, with both agencies touting both the security and customer experience benefits of using biometrics, while pledging to safeguard privacy and security.

Driver’s licenses could soon be available on cell phones in Pennsylvania, authorities said, as the state confirmed they are currently “exploring the concept” of taking the significant step toward digitizing more of daily life.

A new multi-country consortium of Europe’s most trusted identity experts has announced its proposal to deliver a large-scale, cross-border payments pilot strongly aligned with the aims of the European Commission’s EU digital ID wallet program.

“We had this mindset of, ‘OK, if we’re going to do this, we want it to work everywhere,’” says Ryan Williams, quality assurance manager at the Utah Department of Public Safety’s Driver License Division. “We felt that one of the keys [to success] is that you’ve got to have a place to use it. We could put the coolest technology out there, but if you can’t use it, it becomes a novelty on your phone, and something people are going to tire of quickly.”