Illinois has launched its mobile driver’s license (mDL) and digital state ID program through the Secretary of State, allowing residents to add their ID to Apple Wallet. The state promotes the digital ID as a secure and convenient way to present legal identification at participating businesses.
Is Illinois mDL acceptance required?
Illinois businesses are not mandated to accept mobile IDs. A physical ID may still be required for certain law-enforcement interactions, so residents are encouraged to carry their physical license. However, the Illinois Liquor Control Commission has approved use of the state’s Mobile ID Verifier app, as well as a handful of other providers – including IDScan.net, signaling that digital IDs can legally be used for age-restricted purchases if the business chooses to accept them.
What businesses should know
Unlike plastic cards, mobile IDs must be digitally authenticated. Visual inspection alone is not sufficient per the Illinois Liquor Control Commission; businesses must use compatible technology that reads encrypted credentials via NFC or secure QR codes.
Businesses that start accepting mobile IDs should also review Illinois privacy rules. State law limits the type of ID data businesses can store, whether scanned from a physical card or captured from digital verification, etc.
How IDScan.net supports Illinois mobile IDs
IDScan.net enables businesses to securely verify the Illinois mDL a couple different ways.
- IDScan.net has integrated the VeriScan for iOS application with Apple to allow for NFC capable mobile ID scanning. This is done much like the process for Apple Pay. Once initiated inside the VeriScan app, both devices are then held near each other, and data is securely shared from the Apple Wallet version of mobile IDs from participating states. The data can also be shared via a QR code that is generated from the consumer’s phone.
- IDScan.net has also partnered with Credence ID and their Tap2ID mobile ID reader. The Tap2ID reader is wired directly to a computer, where it sends the results of the “scan” of each mobile driver’s license verification into the VeriScan for Windows platform. Tap2iDTM accepts mobile driver’s licenses issued by participating states including the mDLs available through Apple, Samsung, and Google wallets. This new platform also accepts IDs presented using state-developed wallets or non-native applications. The Tap2ID mobile ID reader can act as a standalone solution if desired, but it can also be easily integrated into existing workstations and processes that businesses have in place.
Together, these tools give Illinois businesses a straightforward way to add mobile ID acceptance with the same security standards used for physical ID scanning.
Conclusion
As mobile IDs expand to more devices and are increasingly recognized at venues, retail locations, and age-restricted businesses, acceptance will likely move from optional to mandated. Companies that update policies, train staff, and introduce compatible verification technology now will be well-positioned to meet customer expectations and regulatory standards as digital credentials continue to grow.
