Virginia is leaning into digital living. The new, free Virginia Mobile ID app allows residents to carry a valid state driver’s license or ID card on their phones, the DMV announced.
Virginia is the first U.S. state to offer a digital ID program that’s accepted in lieu of a physical ID in multiple places. Mobile ID is currently accepted at TSA security checkpoints, nine pilot ABC stores in the Richmond area, and at DMV customer service centers. Virginia law enforcement also accepts it as a valid form of ID.
“Most of us rely heavily on our phones, which is why Virginians should have access to a safe, secure form of mobile identification on the devices they use all the time,” Virginia Secretary of Transportation W. Sheppard Miller III said in a statement.
The Mobile ID app is available in the App Store and Google Play. To set up an account, users scan a physical driver’s license or ID and complete face verification. The DMV notes that residents still need to continue carrying a physical ID card as a backup, especially when driving.
The DMV says it’s actively working to expand Virginia Mobile ID acceptance at retailers, restaurants, and law enforcement agencies. “Over the next few months, we’ll continue expanding mobile ID acceptance with partners, while adding new functionality, such as digital wallet integration. Virginians are well positioned for a digital-first world with Virginia Mobile ID,” said Dr. Gerald Lackey, DMV Commissioner.
The full list of locations that accept Mobile ID and information about the app’s security features is available on the Virginia DMV website.
Feature image courtesy Virginia DMV
