COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio residents are now able to add their driver’s license or state ID to their Apple Wallet and use it at businesses, on certain apps and even at airports, according to a press release from the governor’s office.
“Ohio has always been a leader in innovation, and now we are the fifth state in the country that gives residents the option to securely add their driver’s license to Apple Wallet,” Gov. Mike DeWine said in the release. “This is another example of how Ohio is using technology to better serve its customers and residents.”
The state has also launched a free app for businesses that works for age verification, the release states.
"InnovateOhio aims to make Ohio the most innovative, entrepreneurial state in the Midwest while enhancing convenience for residents through technology," Lt. Gov. Jon Husted said in the release. "Adding your Ohio driver's license or ID to Apple Wallet is the latest example of modernizing the BMV and simplifying processes for Ohioans. We’ve also launched an app for businesses to read Ohio Mobile IDs, enabling them to utilize this new service."
This came as a result between InnovateOhio, the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles and Apple. The Ohio BMV Registrar, Charlie Norman, said this is just one of several innovations in their collaboration with InnovateOhio.
“Since 2019, these modernizations and added conveniences have saved Ohioans over 7 million trips to BMV locations and more than 641,000 hours of standing in line,” Norman said.
Businesses can download the Ohio Mobile ID Check app to check mobile IDs via iPhone. You can learn more here.
If you wish to add your license or state ID to your Apple Wallet, open the app on your phone and click on the + button at the top right. There should be an option for you to add a license or state ID.
“To present an Ohio driver’s license or ID in Apple Wallet, residents can simply hold their iPhone or Apple Watch near the reader. Residents’ devices will then display what information is being requested, and only after authorizing with Face ID or Touch ID is the requested information released from a device,” the release reads. “Since the information is shared digitally, users do not need to hand over their iPhone or Apple Watch to present their Ohio driver’s license or state ID in Apple Wallet.”
You can learn more here.
“This marks another milestone in TSA’s efforts to continue providing a secure and seamless screening process at Ohio airports,” TSA’s Ohio Federal Security Director Donald Barker said in the release. “Travelers who want to take advantage of this new capability will find that their mobile Ohio driver’s license and state ID is a convenient option when going through the security process. TSA is committed to expanding use of these technologies to enhance airport security."
The release states that the Apple Wallet is both convenient and secure, keeping your information safe via Apple security and privacy features. It also states that “the state issuing authority receives only information they need to approve or deny adding your ID to Apple Wallet.”
They note the information is encrypted and that even Apple cannot access it without consent. The release also states they do not know when the ID is presented or who it is presented to.
Users must have, in addition to a valid ID, an iPhone 8 or later with at least iOS 16.5 or an Apple Watch Series 4 or later with at least watchOS 9.5.
To use this technology, residents must have a valid and easily readable Ohio driver’s license or ID card, as well as an iPhone 8 or later with iOS 16.5 or later, or Apple Watch Series 4 or later with watchOS 9.5 or later. The device must be set to the United States.