State of digital ID in Kentucky
The state announced that it planned to begin offering Kentucky mobile ID, or mobile driver’s license (mDL), to state residents through the Apple Wallet. To add your driver’s license to Apple Wallet, you must click the “+” symbol. Then, you should scan your physical ID and take a selfie for verification purposes. You will also need to complete facial and head movements to complete the setup. Apple stated that with the mDL addition to your Apple Wallet, they will not know where or when the ID is being presented; you will simply need to show your ID on your phone, not hand it over. In addition to the Apple Wallet, Kentucky has talked about developing a state-based app, Kentucky Mobile ID (MID), that will likely work in conjunction with the new Real ID format.
Kentucky is among the first states to bring mobile ID to the Apple Wallet. Other states taking part in this initiative include Arizona, Connecticut, Georgia, Iowa, Maryland, Oklahoma, and Utah. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) at airports will “enable select airport security checkpoints and lanes in participating airports as the first locations customers can use their driver’s license or state ID in Wallet.” Because the mDL is so secure, airports are working toward implementing mobile IDs (if you have one) as part of their security check.
Digital ID implementation
“The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet is excited to be leading the pack through this innovative collaboration with Apple to further deliver on our pledge to take driver licensing to the next level,” said Matt Cole, commissioner of the Kentucky Department of Vehicle Regulation. “The potential for mobile driver’s licenses is limitless, and we look forward to taking steps to continue to offer modern conveniences to Kentuckians while maintaining our unwavering commitment to security and privacy.”
There is not currently a timeline for when the expected research and implementation is set to begin, but we will continue to watch for updates on the new Kentucky mobile ID format, so stay tuned for more information.
Other Kentucky mDL resources
Good Question: When will Kentuckians be able to have digital driver’s licenses? (WKYT)
Kentucky to be one of first states to add driver’s licenses, IDs to iPhone and Apple Watch (WHAS 11)