West Virginia DMV Partners with IDEMIA to Launch Mobile Driver’s License Program

IDEMIA has partnered with the West Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to implement a new mobile ID system, enabling residents to carry digital versions of their driver’s licenses and state IDs on their smartphones. The partnership represents IDEMIA’s sixth state collaboration for mobile driver’s license technology, following successful implementations in New York and Delaware.

The mobile ID pilot program, launched on December 10, 2024, implements a multi-step verification process. Users must scan their physical ID, complete a facial scan, and submit a digital application for verification before receiving their mobile credential. The security-focused approach builds on IDEMIA’s established verification protocols developed through implementations across multiple states.

The system meets specifications of the recently published ISO/IEC TS 18013-7:2024 standard for mobile driver’s licenses, incorporating privacy-focused design elements. When businesses verify age using the mobile ID app, they receive only the necessary verification information without accessing additional personal details such as exact birth dates. The selective disclosure feature offers enhanced privacy protection compared to traditional physical IDs.

The West Virginia DMV is actively distributing marketing materials to businesses to promote acceptance of mobile IDs. “People are used to using their phones for so many things now, and, especially post-pandemic, the use of electronic wallets has grown tremendously for a lot of documents and payments,” said Chrissy Nizer, Maryland Department of Transportation’s Motor Vehicle Administration Administrator. Under Nizer’s leadership, Maryland has been at the forefront of mobile ID adoption, having already launched a dedicated business verification app for mDL acceptance.

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has begun accepting digital IDs at select airport security checkpoints nationwide, with TSA PreCheck support integrated into several state programs. Montana and West Virginia are expected to implement digital ID support in Apple Wallet, with West Virginia already launching a beta version of its digital driver’s license program. The expansion follows Apple Wallet’s recent growth to ten U.S. regions, demonstrating the accelerating adoption of digital identification technologies.

Sources: Mobile ID World, Identosphere, WV Department of Transportation

—
December 23, 2024 – by the ID Tech Editorial Team