Arkansans can now add their driver’s licenses and state identification cards directly to Apple Wallet, expanding the state’s digital identification program to another major mobile platform.The Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration announced Tuesday that residents can use the digital IDs at more than 250 TSA checkpoints nationwide.The launch builds on Arkansas Mobile ID, the state’s existing digital identification program that has been available through a standalone app for about a year. The same digital identification can now also be stored in Apple Wallet, in addition to Google and Samsung Wallets.“That really changes the way that Arkansans can do business,” DFA spokesperson Scott Hardin said.Hardin said the addition to Apple Wallet is intended to simplify travel and everyday transactions by allowing users to present identification directly from their phones or smart watches.“If you’re boarding a flight, you can put your boarding passes in your Apple Wallet. You have your ID and your wallet, and you can just hold that against the reader and go on about your day and board your flight without anything physical in your hand,” Hardin said.According to DFA, approximately 63,000 Arkansans currently use digital IDs.The University of Arkansas will begin accepting IDs stored in Apple Wallet at athletic stadiums and arenas this fall for certain purchases requiring age verification.“So, if you’re going to purchase, you know, these eligible purchases, alcohol, whatever it may be, then using your ID in Apple Wallet to prove your identity and your age and then actually make the purchase, that’s certainly going to be convenient,” Hardin said.Despite the expanded availability, state officials emphasized that residents should continue carrying physical identification cards because acceptance of digital IDs is still limited in some settings.Hardin said whether a digital ID is accepted during a traffic stop depends on individual law enforcement agencies. Bars and liquor stores can also independently decide whether to accept mobile identification.“Right now, we would tell people, if you have your digital license in a wallet or on your phone, continue to carry that physical ID,” Hardin said.Some businesses are already exploring the technology. Hardin said certain bars and liquor stores across Arkansas have expressed interest in using readers capable of verifying digital licenses.DFA officials also said the digital ID system offers additional privacy protections because users can limit the amount of personal information shared during verification.“When you share it, and you confirm your age, you’re only sharing what they have to receive,” Hardin said. “You control what is released from there, so you don’t have to provide your address and other things.”The Apple Wallet expansion is part of a broader effort by DFA to move more services online and reduce wait times at revenue offices, Hardin said.“You don’t have to wait at revenue offices anymore,” he said. “You can go to mydmv.arkansas.gov, make an appointment, walk in and have a revenue officer agent waiting on you and two knowing exactly what you need to complete so they’ll be prepared to do it.”Hardin said the state is also preparing additional online services, including a system that would allow drivers purchasing new vehicles to pay sales taxes online and receive license plates by mail without visiting a revenue office.
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. —
Arkansans can now add their driver’s licenses and state identification cards directly to Apple Wallet, expanding the state’s digital identification program to another major mobile platform.
The Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration announced Tuesday that residents can use the digital IDs at more than 250 TSA checkpoints nationwide.
The launch builds on Arkansas Mobile ID, the state’s existing digital identification program that has been available through a standalone app for about a year. The same digital identification can now also be stored in Apple Wallet, in addition to Google and Samsung Wallets.
“That really changes the way that Arkansans can do business,” DFA spokesperson Scott Hardin said.
Hardin said the addition to Apple Wallet is intended to simplify travel and everyday transactions by allowing users to present identification directly from their phones or smart watches.
“If you’re boarding a flight, you can put your boarding passes in your Apple Wallet. You have your ID and your wallet, and you can just hold that against the reader and go on about your day and board your flight without anything physical in your hand,” Hardin said.
According to DFA, approximately 63,000 Arkansans currently use digital IDs.
The University of Arkansas will begin accepting IDs stored in Apple Wallet at athletic stadiums and arenas this fall for certain purchases requiring age verification.
“So, if you’re going to purchase, you know, these eligible purchases, alcohol, whatever it may be, then using your ID in Apple Wallet to prove your identity and your age and then actually make the purchase, that’s certainly going to be convenient,” Hardin said.
Despite the expanded availability, state officials emphasized that residents should continue carrying physical identification cards because acceptance of digital IDs is still limited in some settings.
Hardin said whether a digital ID is accepted during a traffic stop depends on individual law enforcement agencies. Bars and liquor stores can also independently decide whether to accept mobile identification.
“Right now, we would tell people, if you have your digital license in a wallet or on your phone, continue to carry that physical ID,” Hardin said.
Some businesses are already exploring the technology. Hardin said certain bars and liquor stores across Arkansas have expressed interest in using readers capable of verifying digital licenses.
DFA officials also said the digital ID system offers additional privacy protections because users can limit the amount of personal information shared during verification.
“When you share it, and you confirm your age, you’re only sharing what they have to receive,” Hardin said. “You control what is released from there, so you don’t have to provide your address and other things.”
The Apple Wallet expansion is part of a broader effort by DFA to move more services online and reduce wait times at revenue offices, Hardin said.
“You don’t have to wait at revenue offices anymore,” he said. “You can go to mydmv.arkansas.gov, make an appointment, walk in and have a revenue officer agent waiting on you and two knowing exactly what you need to complete so they’ll be prepared to do it.”
Hardin said the state is also preparing additional online services, including a system that would allow drivers purchasing new vehicles to pay sales taxes online and receive license plates by mail without visiting a revenue office.