Alabama updated their laws to allow for the possibility of digital IDs back in November 2015. The mobile driver’s license was announced in 2018. At the time, representatives from Alabama Law Enforcement said that the digital ID could be sent to a smartphone and stored in the user’s Apple Wallet. However, as of June 2023 Alabama is not one of the states with native integration to Apple Wallet. The only states with active integrations are Arizona, Colorado, Georgia, and Maryland.
Relevant Legislation
The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) may issue a digital copy of a driver’s license or non-driver identification card pursuant to Section 32-6-1, Code of Ala. 1975, that may be displayed through an ALEA approved mobile or other software application on a wireless communications or mobile electronic device.
The digital driver’s license or non-driver identification card may contain all information present on a physical license or identification card. In addition, a digital license or identification card may include a bar code or other mechanism, as created or approved by ALEA that may be scanned or otherwise utilized to reveal the information.
A licensee may produce an ALEA approved digital copy of his or her license in lieu of possessing a physical license when operating a motor vehicle or vessel. This can be done by downloading the Alabama eID app from either the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store. Users complete a short registration, verify their identities by scanning their physical ID, and then taking a selfie with their smartphone for matching purposes.
How Does the mDL Work?
Upon demand of a judge of any court in this state, a peace officer, or a state trooper, or any other state or local government entity a licensee may produce an ALEA approved digital license or non-driver identification card, and it will be recognized as though it was a physical license or identification card. The Secretary or his/her designee shall deem how a digital copy of a driver’s license or identification card is accepted.
If the licensee displays the digital driver’s license or identification card through the ALEA approved mobile application, the person is not implicitly consenting to allow access or to search other contents of the wireless communication or electronic device other than provided for by law.
https://idscan.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Alabama-Mobile-Drivers-License-Header.jpg4501600Jillian Kossmanhttps://idscan.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/IDScan.net-Logo-300x137.pngJillian Kossman2023-02-06 13:28:242023-06-07 13:05:38Does Alabama allow for a digital driver's license?
As a Louisiana-based identity verification company we’ve been following the rise in mobile drivers license (mDL) adoption closely. Louisiana was the first state to launch an mDL in 2019. Baton Rouge-based software development company, Envoc, created the first digital license, which includes hi-resolution images of the front and back (including the 2D barcode) of the license, as well as one-click license renewal. In 2020, they added to the app’s utility by embedding vaccine cards.
Since then, mDLs have been the topic dejeur at identity conferences. mDLs and the future of digital identity made up more than 60% of the conference agenda at AAMVA’s 2022 annual summit in Baltimore. It is no surprise that consumers want to manage their identity documentation on their phones, and many states are discussing launching apps of their own.
mDL Adoption Statistics
Currently 10+ states offer mobile drivers licenses – Louisiana, Arizona, Maryland, Colorado, Mississippi, Florida, and more
12 states are currently piloting mDLs
2 states utilize the Apple Wallet for management of their mDLs – Arizona and Maryland
9 additional states have announced plans to pilot uploading IDs to Apple Wallet – Georgia, Connecticut, Iowa, Kentucky, Oklahoma, Utah, Hawaii, Mississippi, Ohio, and the territory of Puerto Rico
Apple Wallet authenticates the license by using a front/back photo, and then a selfie using Apple’s Face ID. The information is then sent to the state’s issuing authority for verification.
We have heard anecdotal evidence that mDLs have been accepted at additional airports including Seattle (SEA) and Los Angeles (LAX)
1 state is piloting mobile IDs via the Smart ID program, sponsored by Thales – Florida
70% of global citizens would like their identity document on their smartphone
Document security was the #1 concern for consumers
Louisiana was the first state to launch a digital driver’s license in 2019, with its own mobile app. 1.5M adults in the state have installed the LA Wallet application – 46% of eligible users
Colorado launched their mDL in October 2019, via their MyColorado app, which also offers management of the vaccine record
900,000 Coloradans have installed MyColorado – a 25% usage rate
Market Insight predicted a 24% CAGR for Mobile ID initiatives worldwide including both drivers licenses and healthcare credentials
mDL Adoption Challenges
Three key challenges have emerged relative to mDLs.
Mobile Drivers License Accessibility
The first is accessibility. 15% of adults do not have smartphones, a requirement for any type of digital wallet. That number climbs to 22% for adults with an income of below $30,000. For this reason, government officials have always positioned digital drivers licenses as companions to physical IDs, not replacements.
Additionally, in the case of Arizona and Maryland, their state-sponsored mDL programs only work on Apple phones and Apple watches. 43% of Americans use Android devices, so a sizable chunk of the market is left with no digital ID option. With Android usage skewing towards lower income smartphone owners, the accessibility gap again highlights a need to maintain physical IDs in order to provide equitable identity verification to all state residents.
Mobile Drivers License Security
The second issue is security. While physical IDs have hundreds of embedded security features like holograms and watermarks, mDLs do not. Digital driver’s license security features work differently, and many have been shrouded in secrecy.
Because each state operates independently, AAMVA standards for mDLs are murky. AAMVA references embedded cryptography, as well as third party verification against state databases, but this only applies to usage by law enforcement, since they will have unlimited ability to query DMV databases.
There is currently no standard protocol for mDL verification for third party businesses such as bars, casinos, or dispensaries (Oregon has explicitly banned the use of mDLs for entry to dispensaries). However, all publicly available mDLs do still provide a scannable 2D barcode, which can be scanned. So 2D barcode scanning with robust barcode security features can still reliably catch some fraudulent mDLs with improperly formatted barcodes.
Mobile Drivers License Privacy
The last key issue is privacy. While renewing a driver’s license by clicking a button sounds great, many consumers are worried about storing a personal identity document on their phone, and rightly so. The application can open doors for things like browsing history and social media to be tied to your state-sponsored identity.
ISO has compiled a standard known as ISO 18013-5, that is meant to govern digital identities. These principles include:
Consent of the citizen. Data is never shared from the mDL without citizen consent
Purpose specification before any information from an mDL is shared with a third party (for example, opening a bank account)
Data minimization. Systems must be in place to limit access to PII. A nightclub may not need to know an MDL holder’s address, for example.
Limitations on data collection in aggregate. ISO recommends that apps prevent creating profiles based on where an mDL is used, and that no centralized database of usage be created.
Encryption. The highest level of encryption is recommended on any apps that store mDL data.
How to scan mobile drivers licenses
Currently, there are a very limited number of ID scanners that are capable of both authenticating physical IDs, and scanning mobile driver’s licenses. The AT9K has a large enough area underneath the shell to accept most mobile phones, allowing for the 2D barcode to be scanners. However, for ease, we recommend an authentication device for scanning physical licenses and passports, and a mobile scanning device for scanning mDLs.
Contact us today for a free consultation. We are experts in creating solutions that enable businesses to accept all types of IDs, including mobile drivers licenses.
How do scannable fake IDs work? Before we answer that question, it is important to understand how IDs store information. Arguably the most important feature of the modern ID and driver’s license is the PDF417 barcode. This strip contains a plethora of information, such as:
These fields are all categorized as PII – information that can be used to identify a person. The vast majority of ID scanning solutions and ID scanning hardware utilize the 2D barcode to verify age and identity. The 2D barcode is also used for parsing IDs into software such as CRMs or POS, since each field can be uniquely identified. By scanning the 2D barcode on the back of the ID, ID scanning software scan instantly read this PII data, check the date of birth against today’s date, and check the ID expiration date.
Sample back of an ID showing the 2D barcode at the bottom of the ID
Most IDs also feature a 1D Barcode that contains the state code and ID number. And some still contain a magstripe, though this is considered an inferior symbology and is being phased out in many states.
What does it mean for a fake ID to “scan”?
Simply put, a fake ID is scannable if it can be scanned by 2D barcode scanning/parsing software. So all that is required for a scannable fake ID to work is for the barcode to be formatted in a readable way. This is fairly easy. A fake ID manufacturer can use an existing ID with a working barcode and add new information to the front of the ID. Or they can make an exact copy of a barcode they know works. These are two easy, common ways to make a scannable fake ID with little effort.
Front/Back Matching
Almost equally as important as the PDF417 barcode is all the information printed in the front of the ID card. In a perfect world, all of the information stored in the PDF417 and 1D barcode would match the information printed on the front of the card, but that is where fake IDs can stand out.
When criminals that create fake IDs market their IDs, they obviously want to market them as “scannable fake IDs”, because without that function, they might as well be useless. But, it is much easier to print the information on the front of a fake ID than it is to forge a PDF417 and 1D barcode. For that reason, when these “creators” purchase fake IDs to forge for other people, they often buy real IDs that have already been encoded with information in the PDF417 and 1D barcodes. They simply reprint the information on the front of the card to match the, often underage, person buying the fake ID. So how can you tell if the information doesn’t match?
This is where ID Scanning technology comes into play. By using an ID Scanning/Parsing software, an ID scanner can read the information that has been encoded in the barcodes while simultaneously taking a picture of the front. By using OCR (Optical Character Recognition), the software compares the picture and characters on the front of the ID to the information encoded in the back, and if those bits of information don’t match up, the ID is almost always fake. Now, that is not to say that the software will catch fake IDs 100% of the time, because that is impossible, but with the right technology, your business can do its part to cut down on fake ID use while ensuring compliance.
2D Barcode Security Checks
Front/back matching is one way to catch low-effort fake IDs that are just re-using an existing 2D barcode.
Recently, advances in AI have allowed us to perform checks on the barcode itself that help look for “easter eggs” that can indicate an ID is fraudulent, or at least suspicious. A few generic examples of these “tells”:
In Idaho, they use the code “BWN” to indicate that the ID holder has brown eyes. If we scan an Idaho ID that is using “BRN” in the field for Eye Color, that is a good indication that the ID is fake.
Different states have different orders in which they store the information in the ID. Some states may store first name, last name. Some states may store last name, first name. We know the correct order for each state and so can flag IDs which have data formats that do not conform to known standards.
Because we feed hundreds of thousands of IDs through our ID scanning software on a monthly basis, we train our AI to detect patterns in the 2D barcode and catch these micro-flaws. On average, we are performing hundreds of 2D barcode security checks on every ID that is scanned, allowing us to catch some fakes even without authentication hardware.
Lighting Checks
In addition to the Barcode vs OCR comparison, another security measure that can be harder to forge is the addition of UV Ink. This security feature is specialized to hide state specific text and images on an ID that can only be seen in specific lighting. Cue infrared, ultraviolet, and white light scanning. A scanner like the E-Seek M500, in conjunction with our software, scans the ID at three different light wavelengths in order to check for the addition of these security features. If the scanner/software does not detect the UV Ink, the ID in question is likely a fake.
Holograms and Watermarks
Holograms and/or Watermarks can be one final test of an IDs legitimacy. This feature creates a 3D effect that can be seen on flat surfaces. To create this effect, the image is made using nanostructures that will refract light in a specific way, thus making the 2D image appear 3D. This feature is hard for criminals to forge because this technique can only be done using highly specialized lab equipment. That being said, it is possible to create a simple hologram, but again, this is where a hardware and software combination comes into play. The E-Seek M500 can use the UV light previously discussed and look at the hologram in detail. So much so, that when combined with our software, it can tell you if the hologram is the wrong one for the state in question.
If you’re interested in learning more about how our ID Authentication can help protect your business against fake ID use, be sure to contact one of our industry experts.
https://idscan.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/How-do-scannable-fake-IDs-work.jpg4501600Brittaney Gillieshttps://idscan.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/IDScan.net-Logo-300x137.pngBrittaney Gillies2022-08-30 13:50:002023-06-09 10:21:10How Do Scannable Fake IDs Work?
For the first time in 9 years, New York State is releasing a new and improved ID card. This redesign isn’t for aesthetic purposes, but instead it offers new features to help prevent counterfeit IDs. A statement from the DMV Commissioner, Mark J.F. Schroeder said, “At the DMV, we pride ourselves on providing secure identity documents to millions of New Yorkers and we introduce enhanced features every few years to stay at the cutting edge of emerging trends. We are confident in the security features on our current ID documents, however, the new security features on our redesigned documents will keep us one step ahead of potential counterfeiters.”
Some of the new security features include:
Embossed Text and Images that can be felt.
The previously embedded chip is now exposed.
The clear windows within the document and the state seal have been redesigned by a process called multiple laser imaging, which allows two different images to appear when the ID is held at different angles.
These new features went into effect on March 10, 2022, so anyone getting a new driver’s license or non-driver ID will receive the new and improved identification card.
https://idscan.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/new-ny-id.jpg7201280Brittaney Gillieshttps://idscan.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/IDScan.net-Logo-300x137.pngBrittaney Gillies2022-07-05 16:09:102023-06-28 11:39:37New York State Releases Redesigned ID for the First Time Since 2013
In an attempt to modernize the world of state issued identification cards, the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) is launching a new mobile driver’s license pilot program called the Florida Smart ID. This new ID format is based on your physical identification card, which is scanned and verified by Florida Smart ID Verifier app.
Digital ID app for Florida
After downloading and authenticating their mobile ID, Floridians will easily be able to launch the Florida Smart ID app, select the type of verification needed, and display a specific QR code or barcode that can be scanned. This feature also helps to protect information by only displaying pertinent information for the venue a person is trying to enter.
Please note, at this time, it is not a replacement for the physical driver’s license, so Floridians will still need the physical copy in their possession when driving. Stay tuned for more exciting updates on this pilot program.
https://idscan.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Hand-on-Blue.png648916Brittaney Gillieshttps://idscan.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/IDScan.net-Logo-300x137.pngBrittaney Gillies2022-06-20 11:05:002023-06-15 10:25:47New Florida Digital ID Pilot Being Tested
The California mDL project appears to still be in the business analysis stage as per the Ca.gov Technology website.
California is set to release another new digital ID pilot, this time in the form of a mobile ID. A lot is still unclear about the specifics but we do know a few things. First and most importantly, nobody will be forced into participation in this pilot program. Volunteers will be included in the trial, and only 0.5% of California’s licensed drivers will be allowed to participate. The hopeful start date is 2023, but there has been no official timeline mentioned as of yet.
Digital ID App Features
The exciting new features of this ID type include the ability to pick and choose which bits of your personal information you share based on what is needed at your location. In the past, you just had to hand over your entire ID and trust that someone isn’t going to steal other pertinent information from it upon checking it, but now Californians will have the upper hand. Based on the venue, you select what information you want shown, and only the required information will be displayed to the individual scanning.
Stay tuned for more information, hopefully coming soon, on the highly anticipated California Digital ID Pilot Program.
https://idscan.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/california-set-to-release-digital-id-pilot-scaled.jpg17072560Brittaney Gillieshttps://idscan.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/IDScan.net-Logo-300x137.pngBrittaney Gillies2022-06-19 15:00:002023-06-07 12:14:37California Set to Release Digital ID Pilot
Earlier this year, Apple announced that Arizona would be the first state ever to offer a mobile version of the state issued driver’s license in the Apple Wallet for iPhone or Apple Watch. This new ID format is especially beneficial for those traveling, because you will no longer have to present your physical Arizona while going through TSA, so long as you refer to TSA signage to ensure you’re in a location that accepts the new identification method.
Digital ID for Arizona in Apple Wallet
To get your Arizona Mobile ID set up, you must first make sure you meet the technical requirements of an iPhone 8 or newer, and an Apple Watch Series 4 or newer. You must also have the latest iOS versions downloaded for both your phone and watch, two-factor authentication must be on, and you must be signed in with your Apple ID with your location set. Your physical ID card should also be clear and easily readable. If you meet the aforementioned requirements, Arizonans can add the new Mobile ID by tapping the plus (+) button at the top right corner of the wallet app. From there, scan your Arizona ID, take a series of photos so that your identity can be verified, then submit your Mobile ID for verification. Once the state approves the ID, it will be added to your Apple Wallet.
For now, the new digital ID will only be accepted at select checkpoints in the Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, so people are still encouraged to carry their physical ID, especially when driving, so that it may be used in the event of a traffic stop or car accident. Some businesses may also be unable or unaware of how to scan the digital ID seeing as the technology is so new.
Update: As of May 2023, the Arizona Motor Vehicles Division has announced a pilot program to begin accepting digital IDs at their Scottsdale location. The Scottsdale MVD will allow users to check in by tapping their mobile devices on the digital ID reader.
https://idscan.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Arizona.png648916Brittaney Gillieshttps://idscan.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/IDScan.net-Logo-300x137.pngBrittaney Gillies2022-06-18 10:00:002023-06-15 10:31:26Arizona Issues New Digital ID
Maryland releases new digital ID format called the Maryland Mobile ID for iPhone and Apple Watch users, as well as Android users. This new ID format is especially beneficial for those traveling because you will no longer have to present your physical Maryland ID while going through TSA.
Digital ID for Maryland in Phone Wallet
To present your ID during the security checkpoint, passengers simply need to tap their iPhone or Apple Watch and the ID will show up in the same section where you can already store credit cards, tickets, etc. (your Apple Wallet). Passengers can just hold the phone or watch near the TSA’s Credential Authentication Technology reader and the encrypted data will be read and transmitted to the TSA agent for quick, secure identification.
All that being said, you should still carry your physical ID for now during your travels, and during your other adventures around Maryland. Currently law enforcement does not accept Maryland Mobile ID, and local establishments may or may not be aware of how to use/process the new ID format.
To get your Maryland Mobile ID set up, you must first make sure you meet the technical requirements of an iPhone 8 or newer, and an Apple Watch Series 4 or newer. You must also have the latest iOS versions downloaded for both your phone and watch, two-factor authentication must be on, and you must be signed in with your Apple ID with your location set. Your physical ID card should also be clear and easily readable. If you meet the aforementioned requirements, Marylanders can add the new Mobile ID by tapping the plus (+) button at the top right corner of the wallet app. From there, scan your Maryland ID, take a series of photos so that your identity can be verified, then submit your Mobile ID for verification. Once the state approves the ID, it will be added to your Apple Wallet.
https://idscan.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Maryland.png648916Brittaney Gillieshttps://idscan.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/IDScan.net-Logo-300x137.pngBrittaney Gillies2022-06-17 13:14:002023-06-15 10:38:39Maryland Releases New Digital ID
Many bars, clubs, and dispensaries are reporting issues scanning Colorado driver’s licenses that were printed in 2016 and later. This resulted in many calls from owners who thought that scanners were malfunctioning. However, the issue is actually with the IDs themselves. Because Colorado IDs expire every 5 years, and these IDs were launched in 2016, this means that virtually all of the 4.3M drivers in Colorado are using a driver’s license that may have issues being scanned.
Residents can now store and access their Mississippi mobile driver’s license or state ID on the MID app.
According to the app’s website, Mississippi mobile driver’s license app keeps user data secure and ensures privacy of personal information by only storing information with the state system of record and on the user’s device.
Digital ID app for Mississippi
“In today’s health-conscious environment, Mobile ID offers the convenience of a contactless method for verifying identity,” states the website. “By creating a direct line of communication with consumers, Mobile ID allows the DPS to push updates to information such as an address change or status update, so verifiers can be confident the identity they are accepting is authentic and up-to-date.”
According to Mississippi Mobile ID’s website, to be eligible for the app, you must fall under the following criteria:
“• You must have a valid and easily readable Mississippi driver license or state-issued photo ID card • You must own a smartphone o Minimum Phone Requirement: Android 7 and newer; iPhone 6 and newer (iOS 13 and newer) o Android 10-based EMUI 10 devices are NOT supported • You can’t use a jailbroken/rooted smartphone, so you can’t use a device where the software has been manipulated to remove restrictions and limitations placed there by the manufacturer.”
To obtain a Mississippi mobile driver’s license, you must first download the Mississippi Mobile ID app. After downloading, you should register your phone number. Next, you should scan your ID so that it may display on the app. After that, take a selfie to authenticate yourself. After taking a selfie, you may now set up the app security by creating a six digital pin for login purposes.
Mobile ID Security
Officials with the Department of Public Safety say residents’ information is secure and can only be accessed with their fingerprint or face ID. The app cannot be used when stopped by law enforcement or boarding a plane.
Opinions are varied on the new app, with some liking the idea of having less items to carry while others are more concerned with potential security risks.
https://idscan.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/mississippi-mobile-drivers-license-app-is-live-1-scaled.jpg17072560Jillian Kossmanhttps://idscan.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/IDScan.net-Logo-300x137.pngJillian Kossman2021-11-06 13:52:002023-06-15 10:44:44Mississippi Mobile Driver's License App Is Live