TSA to Accept Digital Driver’s Licenses

In the near future, you’ll be able to get through airport security with just your iPhone or Apple Watch―no physical driver’s license required. Apple just announced that it is working with eight states to enable adding driver’s licenses or state IDs to the Apple Wallet on the iPhone and Apple Watch.

The new technology will be enacted by Arizona and Georgia first, followed by Connecticut, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Oklahoma, and Utah.

Residents of those states will be able to use Apple Wallet to show a digital copy of their ID at security checkpoints at participating airports.

“This new and innovative mobile driver’s license and state ID initiative with Apple and states around the country will enable a more seamless airport security screening experience for travelers,” said David Pekoske, TSA Administrator. “This initiative marks a major milestone by TSA to provide an additional level of convenience for the traveler by enabling more opportunities for touchless TSA airport security screening.”

In order to add their ID to Apple Wallet, iPhone users will scan their physical driver’s license or state ID card and then take a selfie, which will be sent to the issuing state for verification. A prompt will guide users through a series of facial and head movements to further confirm the identity via the iPhone. 

Once the ID is in Apple Wallet, travelers will be able to tap their iPhone or Apple Watch at an identity reader at select TSA checkpoints. Users will need to use Face ID or Touch ID to complete the identification verification. 

Travelers will not have to hand over their phones to TSA agents, keeping the process touchless. 

If you’ve ever forgotten your ID at home or held up the security line because your ID was at the bottom of your bag, this could be a good feature. However, we’d always recommend having your physical ID easily accessible when traveling, in case the technology doesn’t work (either on your phone or at airport security.)