Electronic credentials, such as a mobile driver’s license (mDL), have become widely accepted in recent years as a more secure form of identification. Globally interoperable protocols for the identification of the credential holder and authentication of their data have been lacking. However, a task force that includes UL’s Lead Principal Advisor for Identity Management and Security, Arjan Geluk, has developed a standard for mobile documents (mdocs).

While waiting for a driver’s license in Mississippi has improved significantly, from 90 minutes on average last year to 21 minutes now, residents will have to wait even longer to get that ID in digital form, even though state law indicates it must be designed and implemented by July 1.

The list of U.S. states to launch mobile driver’s licenses (mDLs) is growing rapidly, with five implemented already and three more official digital IDs on the way by the beginning of next year, by the Associated Press’ count. Utah, Iowa and Florida are expected to implement mDLs soon, with the apps storing the credential protected by passwords or on-device biometrics.

The Iowa Dept. of Transportation Motor Vehicle Division is expected to launch their digital driver’s license, or ‘Mobile ID’, by the end of this year. The program has been in the works for years. It will become available for download on the Apple App Store and Google Play and allow Iowans to add a driver’s license to their devices.

Residents of Louisiana can now have an electronic version of their COVID-19 vaccination records added to their LA Wallet, the state’s digital drivers’ license app. Launched in 2018, LA Wallet is a legal driver’s license available to all Louisiana residents. It was jointly designed by the Office of Motor Vehicles, the State Police and the Department of Public Safety. It was developed for free by Louisiana software firm Envoc and is currently used by 670,000 state residents across 1.2 million devices.

Digital transformation is about to change how we prove our identities. Soon, presenting your driver license credentials to receive a service, or purchase an age-restricted product, will be more convenient, secure, privacy-assured and sanitary. This is the future with a mobile driver license (mDL).

With several states exploring mobile driver’s licenses, the Transportation Security Administration is seeking comments on what changes it might need to make so agencies can accept mDLs for REAL ID Act-compliant identification for access to federal facilities, nuclear power plants and boarding federally regulated commercial aircraft.

North Dakotans will have the option of getting a mobile version of their driver’s license on their smartphone, not too far down the road. On Monday, April 19, Gov. Doug Burgum signed into law a bill calling for establishment of a mobile or electronic driver’s license system in the state.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Office of Strategy, Policy, and Plans and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has published a request for information in the Federal Register seeking information about security standards and technologies concerning mobile driver’s licenses. Responses to the request for information will support future DHS/TSA rulemaking to update the REAL ID Act implementing regulation to accommodate mobile driver’s licenses.

Texas may soon allow driver’s licenses to be accessible on residents’ cell phones. A new bill, dubbed HB 273, was filed by Democratic State Representative Terry Canales, and, if passed, will create a pilot program for digital identification in the Lone Star State.