iPhone users who reside in Illinois will soon be able to add their state’s driver’s licenses and IDs to the Apple Wallet app on iPhone and Apple Watch, the Illinois Secretary of State, Alexi Giannoulias, announced today [PDF].
An Illinois state law that went into effect on January 1 make mobile IDs legal, allowing places of business to accept a digital driver’s license in lieu of a physical license.
“We’re excited to have kickstarted our work with Apple – a company that shares our commitment to data security – to provide IDs in Apple Wallet that will offer convenience and privacy for Illinoisans,” said Giannoulias, whose office pushed for the legislation enabling the development of mobile driver’s licenses and state IDs in Illinois. “This is the first component of a multi-faceted approach to deliver a state-of-the-art mobile driver’s license and state ID program that leverages best-in-class technology for residents.”
Currently, Illinois does not have a mobile license program, although a digital driver’s licenses program is under development. The Secretary of State says the state will establish standards of security and will conduct “rigorous testing” to make sure data from Illinois residents is kept private.
Illinois is aiming to have Illinois driver’s licenses and IDs ready for Apple Wallet by the end of 2025.
Once the program launches, driver’s licenses and state IDs in Wallet will provide an easy and more secure way for Illinoisans to present their identification. Users will have the ability to add their driver’s license or state ID to Wallet and simply tap their iPhone or Apple Watch to present it in person, without taking out their physical card or handing over their device.
The office has set up a sign-up page for Illinoisans to receive updates about the mobile driver’s license and state ID program and when IDs in Apple Wallet will become available for users. Anyone interested can visit www.ilsos.gov/mDL to sign up.
