New Jersey Governor Advocates for Mobile Driver’s License Legislation

New Jersey is poised to join the growing number of states offering mobile driver’s licenses (mDLs), with two bills currently under consideration in the state legislature. The proposed legislation, S1297 and A3518, would establish an mDL program allowing residents to access their driver’s licenses through their smartphones.

During his January 14, 2025 State of the State address, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy endorsed the legislation, which is sponsored by Senator Pat Diegnan and Assemblywoman Annette Quijano. “Mobile driver’s licenses allow people to update personal information in real-time, like changing their address,” Murphy stated. He added that mDLs provide a backup form of verifiable identification if physical licenses are lost.

The proposed system would incorporate multiple security features, including multifactor authentication and selective information sharing capabilities. This selective disclosure technology, already implemented in states like West Virginia, allows users to share only specific credential details needed for a particular transaction, enhancing privacy protection.

Currently, at least 15 states and Puerto Rico have implemented mDL programs, with an additional 10 states and Washington, D.C. announcing development plans. California has expanded its mDL pilot program to include integration with Apple and Google digital wallets, working in partnership with AuthenticID, which brings extensive experience in biometric identity verification to the project.

The initiative aligns with New Jersey’s broader efforts to modernize government services. The state’s Office of Innovation, under Chief Innovation Officer Dave Cole, has focused on streamlining resident interactions with state services through measures such as simplified form language and shortened URLs.

The momentum behind mDL adoption has been further strengthened by the recent publication of the ISO/IEC TS 18013-7:2024 standard, which establishes international guidelines for remote identity verification using mobile driver’s licenses. This standardization has helped accelerate implementation across different jurisdictions while ensuring interoperability.

If the legislation passes, New Jersey would become part of a group of approximately 25 states that have either implemented or begun developing mDL programs. The Transportation Security Administration has already begun accepting mDLs at select security checkpoints, demonstrating the growing practical applications of digital identification systems.

Sources: StateScoop

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January 15, 2025 – by Cass Kennedy