The Arizona Department of Transportation has unveiled an app that allows users to verify their identity electronically.
The app is similar to digital wallets from Apple, Google and Samsung, allowing users to store their state-issued ID on their phone for identification at bars, retailers and at the airport.
Bill Lamoreaux, a spokesperson for ADOT, said Arizona was the first state to offer digital ID.
“It’s all about tap to pay with their smartphones, and so I would imagine in a few years, tap to verify is going to be along those same lines because everything else is already in your in your smartphone,” Lamoreaux said. “So this is just another convenient way to use that one device that no one leaves home without.”
Lamoreaux said the Arizona Wallet app allows you to securely and conveniently verify who you are.
“That’s a lot of personal information that I … that you hand out and you just trust that person will not, you know, take advantage of it,” Lamoreaux said. “Well, with the digital ID, all their verifier app sees is my photo to verify it is me. I’m not pretending to be someone else.”
Lamoreaux said the app works seamlessly with ADOT’s ID verification app, which is used by bars and restaurants.
Lamoreaux says Arizona Wallet’s digital ID is not considered a valid driver’s license. Drivers should still carry their physical card on them when operating a motor vehicle.
The Arizona Wallet app will soon allow drivers to store their vehicle registration and get alerts when one is about to expire. The app can be downloaded for free on Google Play or the App Store.