AASHTO Journal - Arizona First to Offer Digital ID via Apple Wallet

Holders of driver’s licenses or state-issued identification cards in Arizona can now add them to Apple Wallet on an iPhone or Apple Watch and use them at select security checkpoints at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.

[Above photo by Apple]

This represents the culmination of work undertaken by the Arizona Department of Transportation’s Motor Vehicle Division or MVD to offer residents the ability to add driver’s licenses or state IDs to the Apple Wallet application on either an iPhone or Apple Watch device.

The program enables Arizona residents to tap their iPhone or Apple Watch and present it to the Transportation Security Administration personnel without taking out their physical ID card or physically handing over their device.

“With this technology, Arizonans are at the front of the line for experiencing a streamlined airport security process,” noted Governor Doug Ducey (R) in a statement. “This puts our state at the leading edge of a new technology that offers choice, convenience, privacy and security.”

“Arizona is proud to be the first state to give our residents the choice to add their ID to Apple Wallet,” added Arizona MVD Director Eric Jorgensen. “We will continue to seek out opportunities for products and services that provide Arizonans security, privacy and ease of use.”

He stressed that that Arizona residents can only use their digital IDs stored in Apple Wallet at select TSA airport security checkpoints for now and should continue to carry their physical, plastic driver license or state ID card to use in other situations, including interactions with law enforcement officers.

Arizona is one of several states that began testing digital IDs with Apple Wallet in late 2021. Those states include Georgia, Connecticut, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Oklahoma, and Utah.

“This new and innovative mobile driver’s license and state ID initiative with Apple and states around the country will enable a more seamless airport security screening experience for travelers,” said David Pekoske, TSA’s administrator, noted in a statement at the time.

“This initiative marks a major milestone by TSA to provide an additional level of convenience for the traveler by enabling more opportunities for touchless TSA airport security screening,” he said.