In the future, the smartphone can also replace the driver’s license or ID card if they are stored in a secure wallet. For the first time, Apple can show a mandatory wallet for the documents for residents of the state of Arizona.
The driver’s license and the digital ID can now be saved as a state ID in the pre-installed “Wallet” app on the iPhone. In addition to the US state of Arizona, ten other US states are said to have enabled the use of the Apple wallet on the iPhone.
To deposit the driver’s license, it must be scanned using the iPhone camera. In addition, the ID card must be verified using a selfie, which is then sent to the authorities and compared with the data from the ID card. Similar to setting up Face ID facial recognition, the user must perform various head and face movements for verification. However, the actual approval is only granted by the respective state authority, so virtual activation can take some time.
The first compatible readers are already being tested in airports and are to be used in several security checkpoints in the future. For example, the iPhone ID can be used in the security checkpoints at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport in the future. In addition, the card will also be used in the future for car rental companies and also for age verification when buying alcohol, cigarettes and medicines.
Android smartphones support the mDL standard for similar technology. So far, however, only very few devices meet the necessary ISO 18013-5 standard for storing a digital driver’s license.
In Germany, the activation of a digital driver’s license was withdrawn for the time being after problems with the prototype of the ID wallet app.
