Montana has just rolled out mobile driver’s licenses (mDLs), making the state the 19th in the U.S. to offer digital IDs that can be stored in Apple Wallet and Google Wallet. The launch is supported by a dedicated Mobile ID Verifier app for businesses, part of an initiative mandated by House Bill 519, which passed in 2023 and required full implementation by September 1, 2025.
Statewide Rollout and Features
The Montana Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) now allows licensed drivers to add their IDs to iPhones, Apple Watches, and Android devices. Participation is optional and free of charge. Officials said the rollout represents the first step in a broader modernization of state identity systems.
“Now that we have overhauled the basics, we are excited to embark on an era of innovation, starting with Montana Mobile IDs and the Montana Mobile ID Verifier for Android and iOS mobile devices,” said Laurie Bakri, administrator of the MVD.
The new system enables touchless transactions and selective information disclosure. For example, a business can confirm that a customer is over 21 without gaining access to other personal information. Verification records remain on the user’s device and are not stored by the state.
Verification and Use Cases
Businesses can verify digital IDs through the Montana Mobile ID Verifier app, available on both iOS and Android. The Department of Revenue has also published guidelines for establishments selling alcohol, outlining how to accept digital IDs responsibly. The verification system supports a variety of devices, including Credence ID-Tap2, net-Veriscan, and Zebra barcode scanners.
Montana residents can already use their mDLs at MVD exam stations equipped with check-in kiosks. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has confirmed acceptance of Montana mDLs at select airport checkpoints, including Helena Regional Airport. Even so, officials emphasize that drivers should continue carrying their physical licenses since not all establishments or checkpoints are equipped to process mobile IDs.
Balancing Convenience and Security
The program arrives amid national debates about digital identity standards and privacy. Advocacy groups have raised concerns that widespread mDL adoption could enable new forms of surveillance. Montana officials stress that their implementation is designed to minimize such risks, with data stored securely on the device and protected by advanced encryption standards.
Despite the launch of digital IDs, physical licenses remain a legal requirement. “Physical license will never go away, and we actually want you to right now carry your physical license with you because not all establishments accept mobile ID,” Bakri said.
Montana joins a growing number of states moving toward digital identity solutions. While the technology is still in early stages of adoption, officials say the dual rollout of mobile IDs and a verification app offers both convenience and safeguards, positioning the state at the forefront of digital identification in the U.S.
Sources: Montana Department of Revenue, MacRumors
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By the ID Tech Editorial Team
