Forget Your Wallet? No Worries, Montana Launches New Digital ID

You've probably been in the same boat. You get up and run to the gym in your gym clothes, and then you decide to hit the grocery store on your way home. And then you realize you forgot your wallet...what if you get pulled over?

If that's you- all you have to do is turn on the NFC function on your smart phone and you can pay for groceries using your digital wallet to buy groceries at most stores, or coffee at a lot of coffee shops.

What if you get pulled over? You probably should still carry your physical license just to be safe. But, now you can add your Montana driver's license to your digital wallet thanks to a new law that came out of the recent legislative session.

On Tuesday, the Montana Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) today launched Montana Mobile IDs, which allow Montanans to carry a digital version of their driver license or state-issued ID securely on their iPhone, Apple Watch, and Android devices.

According to the Montana Department of Justice, "Montana Mobile IDs allow citizens to seamlessly and securely add their Montana-issued driver license or state ID to Apple Wallet and Google Wallet, and present their ID for verification using their devices. Mobile IDs allow users to prove their identity to access services online, in-app and in-person; and provide age verification to participating businesses without sharing any additional information such as name, address, or birthdate when making an age-restricted purchase."

MVD Administrator Laurie Bakri: “We have spent the last three years modernizing MVD and improving operating efficiencies and customer service. Now that we have overhauled the basics, we are excited to embark on an era of innovation, starting with Montana Mobile IDs and the Montana Mobile ID Verifier for Android and iOS mobile devices.”

Mobile IDs can only be used at businesses and organizations choosing to participate, which may not include all states, retailers, or federal agencies. According to a press release from the MT DOJ, the Montana Highway Patrol anticipates having the ability to verify mobile IDs before the end of the year.

• For more information on how to add and use an ID in Apple Wallet, including more information about security and privacy, click here.
• For more information on how to add and use a mobile ID on an Android mobile device click here.

In 2023, the Montana Legislature passed House Bill 519 authorizing the use of digital driver licenses, allowing individuals to present their identification in a digital format.

Rep. Braxton Mitchell (R-Columbia Falls): "As a Gen Z lawmaker, I sponsored this bill to give Montanans the option to add their driver license to their digital wallet. Digital IDs are extremely secure, encrypted, and harder to fake than a traditional plastic ID,” Rep. Braxton Mitchell, sponsor of HB 519, said. “This is a commonsense step to modernize services by adding IDs to the same place where you can already store your credit cards, insurance cards, flight tickets, and concert tickets, making life more convenient for those who choose to use it.”

For more information about Mobile IDs or the Montana Mobile ID Verifier App, visit www.mvdmt.gov/mobile-id