Connecticut’s Department of Motor Vehicles will launch Connecticut Mobile ID on Nov. 18, giving residents a free, optional app that stores a digital version of their driver’s license, learner’s permit or state ID on a smartphone for identity and age verification.
The app will be available through the Apple App Store and Google Play, and residents will need their physical license or ID card to complete setup. Before a Mobile ID can be used, the app requires authentication with Face ID, Touch ID or a six-digit PIN. The DMV says personal information is stored securely on the device rather than within the app itself, and that users can review what information a verifier is requesting and choose whether to approve or decline before anything is shared.
At launch, Connecticut Mobile ID will be accepted by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) at participating airport security checkpoints nationwide, including Bradley International Airport and Tweed New Haven Airport.
Businesses will not be required to accept the credential but may choose to do so, and those that do must use a compatible verification app. The Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection will provide guidance to licensees in industries that check IDs, and the DMV directs businesses that want to become relying parties to information on IDEMIA’s Mobile ID Verify app.
The digital credential is designed to complement, not replace, a physical driver’s license or ID card, and residents should continue to carry their physical credential. Law enforcement will not accept Mobile ID as a substitute for a physical driver’s license, and it cannot be used for voting or as a flash pass.
“Our administration has made it a priority to make state government more accessible and convenient to access by putting more services online and available through mobile devices. Digitizing IDs is another step forward in that effort,” Governor Ned Lamont said in a written statement.
“Mobile ID represents our continued commitment to embracing technology,” said DMV Commissioner Tony Guerrera. “This is a big step forward in our ongoing efforts to deliver convenient access to our services.” State officials said they expect acceptance of Mobile ID to expand as more organizations adopt the technology.
Sources: Connecticut DMV, NBC Connecticut, WTNH
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By the ID Tech Editorial Team
